Madiha Shakil Mirza shares her journey as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer — shaped by curiosity, creativity, and a deep commitment to building human-centered AI. From hands-on engineering to leading cutting-edge projects, her path in tech is defined by bold growth, thoughtful leadership, and a passion for using AI to drive real-world impact.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Pakistan and moved to the U.S. as an international student after high school to pursue my undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota. As the second of four daughters, I was fortunate to have a father who proudly embraced the role of a ‘Girl Dad,’ wholeheartedly supporting our dreams and deeply committed to providing us with the best educational opportunities. Sending a young girl abroad alone to pursue her education was an unprecedented decision in both our family and community. With just a backpack, two pieces of luggage, and their unwavering support, my parents sent me off to Minnesota to begin my educational journey.
What sparked your interest in tech?
Growing up, I watched a lot of Hollywood movies and American TV shows, and I was especially drawn to the tech geniuses — the ones who built clever gadgets, cracked impossible problems, and saved the day with just a few lines of code. At the time, I didn’t know anyone in real life who worked in tech, but I was captivated by that exciting, powerful, and creative world — and I wanted to be part of it.
It wasn’t until college that I began exploring technology seriously. As I started learning to code and understanding how software is built, how algorithms work, and how AI can influence everything from search results to public policy, I realized that tech isn’t just powerful because of what it can do; it’s powerful because of the responsibility that comes with it. As I dove deeper into building intelligent systems, I started to see a bigger picture: the technology we create reflects the values we embed in it. That understanding shifted my focus. I became passionate not just about innovation, but about making sure the systems we build are ethical, inclusive, and aligned with human values.
What started as a fascination with tech’s “cool factor” evolved into a deeper commitment to build tools that are not only smart, but also responsible.
How did your journey into AI begin?
After completing my undergraduate degree, I continued my studies at the University of Minnesota, pursuing a Master’s in Computer Science. It was there that I discovered Natural Language Processing (NLP), a fascinating branch of Artificial Intelligence that uses machine learning and deep learning to enable computers to understand and generate human language. Under the guidance of my research advisor, a leading expert in NLP, I worked on building Large Language Models (LLMs) focused on Computational Humor. This hands-on research opened my eyes to the incredible power of the field. I realized I wasn’t just writing code; I was creating intelligent systems capable of interpreting and responding to how people think and speak. It truly felt like turning science fiction into reality.
That foundation launched my career in AI. For the past seven years, I’ve worked as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer at Avanade, designing and deploying advanced AI systems across industries including healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, finance, and education. What drives me is the belief that every algorithm has the potential to create something meaningful, something that can genuinely improve people’s lives.
Can you walk us through some real-world applications of Natural Language Processing (NLP)?
Natural Language Processing (NLP) powers many of the tools we use every day. For example, chatbots, virtual assistants, and customer service bots rely on NLP to carry out natural, human-like conversations. These systems analyze what you say and generate appropriate responses based on context and intent.
Language translation is another major application. NLP models trained on large bilingual datasets can translate text from one language to another, capturing not just vocabulary but also grammar rules and subtle contextual meaning.
Search engines also use NLP to understand the questions users ask. Whether you’re searching a quick phrase or typing a full question, NLP algorithms help parse your input, understand what you’re really asking, and find the most relevant information by pulling answers from large knowledge bases.
Modern spam detection systems use NLP’s text classification abilities to scan emails for suspicious language and patterns, helping protect users from phishing attempts.
NLP is used in e-commerce for product recommendations based on user preferences and browsing history. It also helps in sentiment analysis of customer reviews to understand their opinions about products or services.
Beyond everyday consumer tools, NLP is also transforming industries:
In healthcare, NLP is used to extract key information from clinical notes, medical records, and research papers. It helps physicians by summarizing patient histories, flagging high-risk conditions, and supporting diagnostic decision-making. It’s also being used to power virtual health assistants and streamline administrative tasks like billing and documentation.
In finance, NLP is applied to analyze massive volumes of unstructured data like news articles, earnings reports, and social media sentiment to support real-time decision-making in trading, fraud detection, and risk management. Financial institutions also use NLP to automate customer service, detect regulatory compliance issues, and extract insights from legal and contractual documents.
In short, NLP is the driving force behind making machines fluent in human language. It has revolutionized how we interact with technology, powering everything from personal assistants to life-saving healthcare tools and global financial systems.
What’s a day in your life like — from the first line of code to logging off?
I start my day with a cup of tea and a quick workout to get energized. Then it’s time to dive into work, which spans both hands-on AI engineering and high-level strategy. I lead AI projects from concept through production deployment. My day-to-day involves writing Python, PySpark, and SQL code for data analysis and transformation. I work on the full MLOps lifecycle, from data collection and transformation to feature engineering, model training, evaluation, and monitoring.
Afternoons are typically filled with team syncs, design and code reviews, and whiteboarding sessions with teammates to align on architecture, troubleshoot challenges, and innovate collaboratively. In the evenings,
wind down by reading the latest AI research and catching an episode of a good sitcom. Ending the day with a mix of learning and laughter fuels both my creativity and technical expertise.
What is a new technology that you’re excited about?
I’m really excited about Agentic AI. Unlike traditional AI systems that just respond to prompts, Agentic AI can reason, plan, make decisions, and act autonomously without constant human input. These AI agents can carry out multi-step tasks, adapt in real time, and learn from their environment.
I’ve worked on a few Agentic AI projects, and it’s incredible to see the extent of what these systems can do when given goals instead of just instructions. Agentic AI is still in its early stages of development, and it holds significant potential to revolutionize numerous industries by enhancing productivity, efficiency, and decision-making capabilities. I can’t wait to see how this tech evolves.
What’s a piece of tech you recently bought and what do you think about it?
I recently got a smart ring, and it’s honestly amazing. Wearing a small device on your finger that can track your health, manage notifications, and even handle contactless payments feels like something out of a sci-fi novel. It’s surprisingly powerful and convenient, all packed into such a tiny form factor.
How has being a woman in tech shaped your experience, perspective, or leadership style?
Being a woman in tech has shaped me into a leader who values inclusion, resilience, and purpose. It’s made me more attuned to voices that often go unheard and more committed to creating environments where people feel seen and empowered. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about making space for yourself, it’s about widening the door for others. Leadership, to me, means lifting others as you rise.
Is there something you’ve had to unlearn to evolve professionally?
Early in my career, I often held back my thoughts, assuming that expertise alone would speak for itself. But in tech — where ideas spark innovation — speaking up is just as important as knowing your stuff. I learned to assert myself more confidently and advocate for myself. That shift not only helped me grow professionally but also taught me that leadership begins when you express your unique viewpoint and claim your seat at the table.
What advice would you give to girls who want a career in tech but don’t know where to start?
Start with something that excites you. Whether it’s a simple chatbot, an app prototype, or just sketching out an idea — what matters is taking that first step. You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin. Tech is about problem-solving, persistence, and continuous learning. Every expert once started as a beginner who simply kept going.
What do you hope the future of tech looks like?
Fair, transparent, and collaborative. I want a future where AI isn’t cold and clinical, but empathetic, intuitive, and human-centered. A future where diverse voices come together to build technology that truly serves everyone.
If your journey in tech had a soundtrack, what would the theme song be?
I’d choose “Unstoppable” by Sia. It’s an anthem that perfectly reflects the quiet strength and fierce determination needed to navigate tech world as a woman. The song captures the resilience and sense of purpose that drive me forward, even when the journey gets tough or my efforts happen behind the scenes.
