Deepak Chawla is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in AI and ML, specializing in the development of cutting-edge AI/ML products. He has mentored over 2,000 individuals in AI, guiding their skill development and careers entirely free of cost. Deepak has delivered three workshops, conducted over 50 webinars on AI/ML topics, and hosted more than 10 seminars in colleges to foster learning and innovation. His contributions have been recognized globally, including being featured at Times Square, New York City. He is also honored to serve as a judge for the Smart India Hackathon 2024.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your entrepreneur journey/venture/initiative.
My initial years were shaped by curiosity and a passion for learning. Growing up, I developed a fascination with technology when I first encountered a computer in 3rd grade. This early exposure sparked a desire to explore the world of programming, leading me to learn C during my 10th-grade vacations. Though I wasn’t the top scorer, I prioritized understanding concepts over rote learning, which fueled my love for logic and reasoning.
In college, amidst my parents’ dreams for me in the textile industry, I pursued Information Technology, embracing self-learning through Google and mentorship from seniors. By my second year, I mastered 30+ programming languages and launched a learning club to help peers. Post-college, I worked with leading companies, building cutting-edge AI and ML products while actively mentoring job seekers to enhance their skills and career prospects. These experiences strengthened my problem-solving mindset and passion for creating impactful solutions, paving the way for my entrepreneurial journey.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative? What motivated you within to say “YES, go for it!”
The idea to start my initiative was born out of a deep desire to create meaningful impact through mentorship and innovation. As someone who benefited immensely from self-learning and the guidance of mentors during my formative years, I wanted to pay it forward by building a community where learning, collaboration, and growth are accessible to everyone.
What truly motivated me was witnessing the struggles of talented individuals who lacked the right guidance or opportunities to showcase their potential. I realized that with my experience in AI and ML, combined with a passion for teaching, I could bridge this gap. The moment I saw the transformative power of knowledge-sharing through my college learning club and later in my professional journey, I knew it was time to scale this vision.
This vision is what led to the creation of HiDevs—a community dedicated to building the largest Generative AI workforce. HiDevs is more than just a platform; it’s a mission to empower aspiring engineers by equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and guidance they need to become industry-ready. Through live sessions, innovative learning modules, and mentorship, HiDevs is fostering a generation of leaders in AI who are not only skilled but ready to redefine the industry.
The drive to empower others, build innovative solutions, and create a platform where individuals could thrive fueled my determination to say, “YES, go for it!” It wasn’t just an idea—it was a mission to make a difference.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
As the founder of HiDevs, my initiative focuses on building the world’s largest Generative AI workforce. HiDevs provides a platform where students and professionals can upskill through live sessions, innovative learning modules, and mentorship. We aim to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs by equipping learners with the tools and expertise required to excel in AI and ML. By fostering a community of collaboration and growth, our mission is to empower individuals to lead in the AI revolution and redefine industry standards.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
- Launch of HiDevs Community: A platform that now serves over 1,000 students, offering free mentorship to help them learn and earn, empowering them to achieve their goals.
- Global Recognition: Being featured at Times Square, New York City, as recognition for my contributions to AI, ML, and mentorship.
- AI & ML Innovation: I launched products like NearKode, a no-code/low-code platform that secured a semi-finalist position at the Eureka Business Model Competition, and the Online Medical Diagnosis (OMD) app.
- Mentorship: Mentored over 2,000 individuals in AI/ML at no cost, helping them build skills and advance their careers.
- Workshops & Webinars: Delivered 3 workshops and conducted more than 50 webinars, educating and inspiring the next generation of tech enthusiasts.
- Industry Contributions: Actively participated in initiatives like fundraising for cancer research with TopMate.io and identified significant bugs that helped improve the performance of companies like iNeuron.ai.
- Google Cloud & AWS Cloud Credits: As part of a Startup Program, I received $2,000 in credits to build a Gen AI workforce, further advancing my mission to drive innovation in the AI space.
- YouTube Engagement: Currently engaging 250+ subscribers on YouTube, sharing insights on Gen AI and tech trends.
- Gen AI Program Cohort: Conducting a Gen AI program’s cohort with 100+ students, offering live sessions on YouTube to help them explore and apply Generative AI.
- Supportive Community: Building a thriving, supportive community with around 500+ members on Discord, fostering collaboration and learning.
- I am honored to serve as a judge for the Smart India Hackathon 2024.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
Absolutely! If given the opportunity, I would love to see a world where young women entrepreneurs are empowered to dream big, take risks, and lead in every industry without any limitations based on gender. The change I envision is a society that fosters equal opportunities, resources, and support for women, enabling them to break through barriers and build businesses that transform not only industries but communities.
As someone who has had the privilege to mentor aspiring individuals, I firmly believe that mentorship, guidance, and a strong support system are key to empowering the next generation of women entrepreneurs. I would like to see more women stepping into leadership roles in technology, AI, and business. The vision is to create a collaborative and inclusive ecosystem where women are not just participants but drivers of innovation.
Women are a growing force in workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Women leadership today is not just a growing force; it’s a transformative one. We are witnessing an exciting shift where women are no longer just participants in the workforce but leaders, decision-makers, and innovators shaping industries across the globe. This shift is not just about breaking glass ceilings but about redefining leadership itself—emphasizing empathy, collaboration, inclusivity, and resilience.
What would you want to say to our young leaders/audience reading this?
To all the young leaders reading this, remember that your journey is unique, and your potential is limitless. Don’t be afraid to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. Every step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goals. Trust in your abilities, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and always stay true to your values.
