Case Study 1: Why Kiran Narahari, an ML-Engineer, Left India

Kiran Narahari says he moved to the US in pursuit of a “higher quality” of education and to eventually be part of the forefront of AI research and industry. He says that at the time he left most AI innovation was happening in research labs outside India. 

“All the exciting innovation that was taking place [in India] was at Indian branches of multinational corporations. It just made sense to go directly to the source,” he adds. 

What he does 

At present, Narahari works as a machine-learning research engineer at Information Sciences Institute where he explores new large language models (LLM) research ideas and works on applying these LLMs as well as on generative AI technologies and products for the US government’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa). 

“I am currently building an AI-teaching companion agent that can learn tasks from experts and teach novices. These projects help push the limit of what’s possible and open the door to new applications and business markets,” he says. 

What He Thinks of Life in India 

The disparity in “quality of life” between India and the US has been shrinking, according to Narahari. “I believe it’s possible to lead a comfortable life in India. Some people may even prefer the conveniences available in India when compared to the chores and responsibilities in the US,” he says. 

About the technology landscape in India, Narahari says, “I know there are a few exciting AI start-ups solving novel problems, but I am actually out of touch with the Indian job landscape.”  

On Life in the US 

Narahari says, “I enjoy the independence and the benefits of nature and infrastructure here. I love driving cars and the roads here are objectively better compared to India.” 

But he does not like the loneliness that accompanies him, living away from family and with the instability of being on a visa. 

Would He Ever Want to Return? 

“My decision to stay here [in the US] is still in evaluation,” Narahari says. He adds he could think about returning to India if he finds a successful career path where he is able to contribute to the global AI industry from India.