Balancing technology and social good is tricky; doing it well requires both practical expertise and a compelling vision. For software engineer Tejas Padliya, alchemizing the two is the driving force in his work.
Padliya’s expertise is in AI and digital health technologies. His vision? For AI to be both a tool and a catalyst for equitable, data-driven healthcare transformation.
In conference presentations and elsewhere, Padliya conveys two powerful messages:
- Technology is about changing lives, not just companies.
- Anyone curious enough to make the effort is capable of creating meaningful innovations in technology and society.
For his vision and his ability to ground it in real-world applications, Tejas was named one of Computing’s Top 30 Early Career Professionals for 2024. In the following Q&A, he describes:
- How his academic and industry experiences taught him that software engineering is about more than writing code; it can solve practical problems that have a genuine human impact.
- His process for choosing tools for a project, which focuses on long-term goals, team expertise, and scalability rather than trending technologies.
- How his work with professional organizations such as IEEE fuels collaboration with other global experts and provides a platform for amplifying socially impactful technologies.
- His work integrating complex, mission-critical COVID-19 solutions into Roche’s Navify Pass System during the pandemic and how it highlighted the importance of engineering for trust, resilience, and impact.
You delivered a talk on the role of machine learning in transforming healthcare at Ai4 2024. Can you share the key points of your presentation and how machine learning is revolutionizing healthcare?
At Ai4 2024, I presented on how machine learning is revolutionizing healthcare by enabling early diagnostics, personalized treatment, and scalable care delivery.
Drawing from my experience in digital biomarkers and software as a medical device (SaMD) development, I emphasized how machine learning enhances disease detection—particularly in chronic and neurological conditions—through continuous patient monitoring. AI-powered tools such as diagnostic imaging and clinical decision support systems are reducing diagnostic errors and augmenting clinician workflows. Importantly, machine learning holds national significance in improving public health by expanding access to underserved communities through telehealth, mobile diagnostics, and equity-aware algorithms.
My talk also highlighted the importance of ethical AI frameworks, model transparency, and regulatory alignment to ensure safe, inclusive innovation. By integrating machine learning with wearables and real-world data, we’re transitioning from reactive to preventive care. This transformation is crucial in addressing healthcare disparities, lowering costs, and improving population health outcomes at scale.
At the Social Tech Summit 2024, you presented on AI and social good for healthcare service delivery. What were the main topics you covered, and what impact do you hope your presentation will have on the audience?
At the Social Tech Summit 2024, I focused on real-world impact and responsible innovation in leveraging AI for social good in healthcare service delivery. I covered AI-driven diagnostics and personalized medicine, showcasing how machine learning can enhance accuracy and treatment outcomes. I also explored remote patient monitoring through wearables and telehealth, enabling proactive care in underserved regions.
A key theme was the use of predictive analytics to anticipate public health needs and optimize resource allocation. I emphasized AI’s potential to identify and bridge health disparities by analyzing social determinants of health. Ethical AI deployment and inclusivity were central to the discussion, especially in global and low-resource contexts. My goal was to inspire cross disciplinary collaboration to build scalable, transparent AI healthcare solutions.
How do you see AI shaping the future of healthcare?
AI is poised to revolutionize the future of healthcare by enabling earlier diagnoses, personalized treatments, and more efficient care delivery systems. With advancements in medical imaging, genomics, and predictive analytics, AI can significantly reduce diagnostic errors and improve patient outcomes.
In most countries, where healthcare accessibility and cost remain pressing issues, AI can optimize hospital workflows and extend quality care to rural and underserved populations.
Nationally, it holds the potential to strengthen public health infrastructure by enabling real-time disease surveillance and localized epidemic preparedness. Moreover, AI can assist in managing chronic diseases, reducing the long-term burden on healthcare systems.
By integrating AI responsibly, we can ensure ethical use while empowering clinicians and patients alike. Ultimately, AI is not just a technological tool but a catalyst for equitable and data driven healthcare transformation.
As a member of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) and an IEEE Impact Creator, how do you stay engaged with the IEEE community, and what value do you find in these affiliations?
I stay actively engaged with the IEEE community by contributing to technical standards development, participating in local chapter events, and supporting initiatives in computing and healthcare.
I frequently collaborate on cross disciplinary projects, mentor early career professionals, and contribute thought leadership through conferences and publications. These affiliations offer immense value by connecting me with global experts, fostering innovation, and providing a platform to amplify socially impactful technologies.
IEEE-HKN’s focus on scholarship, character, and service aligns with my values as a technologist and community advocate. Being part of IEEE allows me to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies while shaping policies and solutions with real-world significance. It also offers opportunities to influence future engineers and contribute to initiatives with national and global importance. Through IEEE, I continue to grow both as a professional and as a changemaker.
Reflecting on your career journey—from your education at the University of Mumbai and Rochester Institute of Technology to your roles at Medtronic and Roche—what are some key lessons you have learned, and how have they shaped your approach to software engineering and innovation?
In my journey from University of Mumbai to the work I’m engaged in today, I’ve learned the value of adaptability, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and mission-driven engineering. My early education grounded me in core computer science principles, while my graduate studies sharpened my research and innovation mindset. At Medtronic, I learned to balance regulatory rigor with agile development; at Roche, I experienced firsthand how digital health solutions can transform patient care globally.
These roles taught me to approach software engineering not just as code writing, but as problem solving with real human impact. I’ve learned to prioritize user-centric design, data integrity, and ethical AI practices. This journey has shaped me into a purpose driven engineer committed to building technologies that are not only scalable but socially meaningful.
You have extensive experience with various programming languages and frameworks. How do you approach selecting the right tools for a project, and what are the key factors you consider?
When selecting tools for a project, I focus on alignment with long-term goals, team expertise, and scalability, rather than just trending technologies. I believe the journey of learning and evolving with the project is as important as the outcome. While I may not always agree with initial choices, I commit fully and adapt as needs evolve. As technology and requirements shift, so must our approach.
You have worked on integrating COVID-19 solutions for the Navify Pass System at Roche. Can you discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them to ensure a successful integration?
Integrating COVID-19 solutions into the Navify Pass System at Roche was both technically complex and mission critical, given the urgency of the pandemic. One major challenge was navigating shifting global regulations and ensuring compliance across jurisdictions while maintaining user privacy and data security. The system had to interoperate with diverse diagnostic platforms and health systems, requiring robust APIs and scalable architecture.
We implemented automated testing, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and monitoring to ensure rapid, reliable deployments. Ultimately, the experience highlights the importance of engineering for trust, resilience, and impact during a global health crisis.
As a speaker at various conferences and events, what are some of the key messages you aim to convey, and how do you engage and inspire your audience?
As a speaker, I always try to keep it real and relatable. Tech can feel intimidating, so I try to break it down with stories and real-world impact. I want the audience to feel like they can be part of this movement, no matter their background. My key message is that innovation isn’t just for geniuses in labs—it’s for anyone curious enough to try. I ask questions, spark conversations, and share how tech can change lives, not just companies. Inspiring others starts with showing them what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
Bio: Tejas Padliya
Tejas Padliya is a software engineering expert specializing in AI and digital health technologies. He holds a master’s degree in computer science from Rochester Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Mumbai. Padliya has presented at notable conferences, including Ai4 2024 and the Social Tech Summit 2024.
His research interests include AI, bioengineering, neuroscience, digital biomarkers, and accessible technologies. As an active contributor to IEEE Standards Association, he focuses on developing impactful standards in AI and healthcare. He also actively contributes to community initiatives addressing hunger and homelessness issues.
Committed to lifelong learning and innovation, Padliya is pursuing opportunities to advance his research and entrepreneurial vision, and he aspires to start his own tech company in the near future.
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To learn more about Padliya and his work,
Each week over the next few months, Tech News will highlight different Top 30 honorees. For a full list, see Computing’s Top 30 Early Career Professionals for 2024.
In addition to Computing’s Top 30, IEEE Computer Society offers many other awards; to read about the honors and the honorees—and perhaps nominate an impactful professional in your life—visit the IEEE CS Awards page.
