Bloomberg's AI Director on Expansion Strategies and Cultural Diversity

Anju Kambadur, the head of Bloomberg's AI Engineering group, leads a team pioneering in four specific areas: high-performance computing, machine learning, natural language processing, and time series analysis. Previously, Kambadur was a research associate at IBM and received an award in 2023 on Insider's 'AI 100' list, which honors leading figures in the field of artificial intelligence. As a leader, Kambadur is responsible for recruiting and nurturing talented employees and creating a safe and supportive work environment. Technologically, his department aims to develop the latest infrastructure and deliver innovative products on time and within budget. This is done in close collaboration with Bloomberg's core business, enterprise data, and technology divisions. The models developed by his group are utilized in areas such as extraction, enrichment, search, summarization, and time series analysis. One of the major challenges in machine learning is that models must continuously adapt to changing data distributions. This requires significant investments in specialized hardware, such as GPUs. Additionally, rapid innovation in AI technology necessitates constant reevaluation and modification of the technologies used. Kambadur's ten-year career at Bloomberg began as an individual contributor in NLP modeling and quickly evolved into a leading position. The rapid expansion of his department is largely driven by high demand in the financial industry for data-driven decisions and significant technical advances in AI. The availability of cloud computing and open-source technologies has further accelerated the growth spurt. The selection of new team members at Bloomberg is based on the principles of technical competence and cultural fit. Particularly in the AI field, deep knowledge in disciplines such as machine learning and information retrieval is required. Kambadur emphasizes the importance of diversity and explains that AI services capture a small aspect of human decision-making, making cultural diversity within the team essential. With over 300 employees and colleagues from more than 40 countries, the department uses structured programs and semi-annual reviews to promote professional development and maintain a unified and consistent team culture. Through systematic hiring practices and onboarding processes, Kambadur ensures that all team members reach a high level of quality. This is crucial in making Bloomberg's AI engineering division a leading environment where employees not only develop as experts but also feel comfortable and valued.