As Director of Risk, Compliance, and Information Security at SDG Corporation, Meetali oversees corporate governance and GRC practices across global operations. She recently sat down with Digitaltech Media to discuss the growing influence of women in Generative AI, how the technology is revolutionizing IT and cybersecurity, and what the future holds for work and society.
The Rising Influence of Women in Generative AI
Generative AI has become one of the most powerful technological shifts of the last decade—but it’s not just about algorithms and models. It’s also about the people shaping how those technologies are applied.
“Women leaders are playing a pivotal role in the advancement of Generative AI,” Meetali explains. “They’re not only pushing the boundaries of innovation but also guiding the ethical, inclusive, and human-centric aspects of how AI is built and used.”
From leading AI research teams to founding startups that tackle real-world issues like climate change and healthcare, women are increasingly visible in positions of influence. But their impact extends beyond technical leadership:
- Championing Ethical AI: Women are at the forefront of conversations around algorithmic fairness, transparency, and responsible deployment. Their advocacy ensures that the outputs of AI are socially conscious and equitable.
- Fostering Inclusion and Mentorship: Through active mentorship and intentional hiring, women leaders are building diverse, high-performing teams that reflect a range of perspectives—critical to reducing bias in AI systems.
- Shaping Governance and Policy: From corporate boards to public policy roles, women are contributing to the frameworks that will govern AI’s societal impact.
Meetali emphasizes that women in tech are not just influencing Generative AI—they are helping redefine the culture of the industry itself. “They’re bringing empathy, collaboration, and equity to the forefront. That shift is essential for long-term, sustainable innovation.”
How Generative AI Is Transforming the IT Landscape
When asked about how Generative AI is transforming the industry she oversees, Meetali is clear: “This isn’t a marginal change—it’s a complete evolution in how we build, secure, and manage technology.”
She outlines several areas where Generative AI is having immediate and significant impact:
1. Software Development at Speed
From tools like GitHub Copilot that generate entire code modules to automated bug-fixing and testing capabilities, Generative AI is dramatically reducing development timelines. “Developers can now focus on solving complex problems while AI handles boilerplate code and error resolution,” she notes.
2. Enhanced Cybersecurity Posture
In an era of escalating threats, AI helps detect unusual patterns, simulate attack scenarios, and proactively recommend defensive actions. “Generative AI even supports threat modeling, mimicking potential cyberattacks so teams can build stronger, adaptive defenses.”
3. Smarter Customer Support
AI-powered virtual agents—such as those from Zendesk or Microsoft—now offer dynamic, personalized support that improves with each interaction. “It’s not just about saving time,” Meetali says. “It’s about delivering a better user experience.”
4. Infrastructure Automation
AI predicts system failures, automates fixes, and manages cloud resources, leading to more stable and cost-efficient environments.
5. Advanced Data Visualization and Analysis
AI turns large, complex datasets into digestible reports and visuals—helping IT leaders and business stakeholders make better decisions, faster.
6. Knowledge Base Creation and Documentation
Generative AI is being used to create and maintain IT documentation, turning dense manuals into easy-to-use, searchable guides for both technicians and end users.
What excites Meetali most? Accessibility. “Generative AI lowers the barrier to entry. People without deep technical backgrounds can now participate in coding, analysis, and automation. That kind of democratization fuels innovation and brings more diverse voices into the tech conversation.”
Balancing Innovation with Risk
While Generative AI offers massive potential, Meetali cautions against moving too fast without adequate safeguards.
“As we embrace this technology, we also have to recognize the inherent risks—some of which are still emerging,” she says. Key challenges include:
- Data Privacy Violations: AI systems often rely on large datasets, which, if mishandled, can expose sensitive information.
- Bias in AI Outputs: Poorly curated training data can lead to discriminatory or inaccurate results.
- Security Vulnerabilities: Generated content might contain exploitable flaws, especially in code and documentation.
- Ethical Misuse: The potential to generate malicious code or misinformation poses serious ethical concerns.
- Over-Reliance on AI: Excessive dependence could lead to skill erosion or blind trust in flawed outputs.
- Legal and Compliance Gaps: Many regulatory frameworks have yet to catch up to AI capabilities.
- Cost Barriers: Smaller firms may struggle to afford high-performance AI tools, creating inequality in access.
“Governance must evolve in lockstep with AI,” Meetali insists. “Enterprises need clear oversight, ethical guidelines, and continuous monitoring to deploy AI responsibly.”
A Vision for the Future of Work and Society
Looking ahead, Meetali believes Generative AI will profoundly reshape not just the IT industry—but society itself.
The Future of Work
- Automation of Repetitive Tasks: Routine work will be offloaded to AI, freeing humans to focus on creativity, leadership, and strategic thinking.
- Creation of New Roles: Emerging positions like AI trainers, data ethicists, and prompt engineers will redefine career paths.
- Upskilling and Reskilling: Continuous learning will be essential, with a focus on digital literacy, critical thinking, and adaptability.
- Boosted Productivity: With AI streamlining workflows, companies across healthcare, finance, education, and more will see increased output and better outcomes.
- Rise of Remote Work: AI-powered tools will further enable global collaboration, fueling the gig economy and cross-border teams.
Societal Impacts
- Healthcare Innovation: From diagnostics to personalized medicine, AI will improve care delivery and accessibility.
- Educational Equity: AI-powered learning platforms will help close gaps in access to quality education.
- Sustainability and Smart Cities: AI can optimize urban systems, reduce emissions, and support climate resilience efforts.
- Governance and Ethics: A new wave of policies and frameworks will be needed to ensure AI is used responsibly.
- Equity and Inclusion: Meetali warns that if not carefully managed, AI could widen socioeconomic divides. “It’s critical that we prioritize inclusive design and equitable access.”
Conclusion: Building a Responsible AI Future
As AI continues to evolve at breakneck speed, one thing is clear: we need leadership that’s as thoughtful as it is visionary. Through her work at SDG Corporation, Meetali Sharma exemplifies that balance—advocating for innovation with integrity, and for technology that uplifts everyone, not just a few.
“AI has the power to solve our greatest challenges,” she says. “But only if it’s shaped by diverse minds, governed with care, and deployed with purpose.”
Generative AI is more than a technical evolution—it’s a societal one. And thanks to leaders like Meetali, the future it’s building looks not only smarter—but fairer, safer, and more human.
