Next, we have Deepak Naidu from the New Initiatives team. Deepak joined as an intern and worked directly with Arunesh. His role was to research and work on small projects and now, it’s evolved to building AI powered tools for the New Initiatives team. Did you know Deepak Naidu is Half-Gujarati, Half-Telugu, living in Mumbai?! Do reach out to him to ask him about his work, his latest projects, or his pet dog! 😀

You joined Wisdm as an intern and now, you’ve progressed to being a Software Engineer in the New Initiatives team. What’s your journey and evolution been like?

Deepak: Looking back, my journey at Wisdm started with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I still clearly remember my interview process, the questions, the technical assessment, and especially the feedback I received from Arunesh Sir. It was detailed, honest, and incredibly helpful.

When I got the confirmation that I’d be joining as an intern, it felt good to see my efforts pay off. But honestly, the first few weeks weren’t easy. I had never worked remotely before, and adjusting to that culture was a challenge. Things like being available for calls, scheduling meetings, or even just talking to someone virtually, I wasn’t used to any of it. I struggled to manage my time and communication well, especially without any prior experience.
But with time I slowly started understanding the flow and got better at managing my tasks and communication.

I also got a clear realization about myself, I was good at executing tasks and implementing solutions, but I wasn’t exactly a well-rounded developer yet. I used to jump into coding without spending enough time researching or exploring the best possible approaches.

I realized that while I could get things done, I wasn’t always taking the time to understand why a particular solution was the best one, or how it could be improved to better meet the end goal. That awareness really helped me grow, and I’ve since been working on balancing execution with thoughtful research.

I still remember my final evaluation clearly, I didn’t clear it on the first attempt. Even though I had completed the assigned tasks, I struggled to answer a few technical questions during the review. It was a tough moment, but not a final one.

I was given a second chance, and I made sure to put in the work, brushing up on concepts, practicing, and improving where I fell short. Being added to the New Initiative Team as a Software Engineer at Wisdm was the result of that second chance and the effort I put in after. Going through that experience taught me the importance of seeking timely feedback and using it to improve. I’ve learned that honest feedback, when acted upon, can make a huge difference in the quality of your work. I feel fortunate to be a part of the New Initiative team, where we have the flexibility to choose the right tech stack for the job, and where using AI tools or other productivity aids is not just allowed but encouraged if they help us work smarter.
And of course, having experienced teammates around makes all the difference. Their guidance, quick feedback, and support have helped me grow a lot, and continue to make the work more meaningful and enjoyable.

What is a typical day at work like?

Deepak: My day usually starts with logging in around 9:20 AM. I like to plan things the day before, so I always maintain a to-do list in my diary. That helps me start every morning with a clear idea of what needs to get done.

By 10 AM, I have my Scrum call with the team. It usually wraps up by 10:30 or 10:45, depending on how much we have to discuss. After that, I take a short break of about 10–15 minutes before diving into the main work of the day. I try to schedule any meetings or calls in the first half of the day so the rest of the time can be used for focused work. Around 2 to 2:30 PM, I take my lunch break, which lasts about 45 minutes. I finish eating in about 15–20 minutes and then go out for a quick walk or drive to stay fresh and avoid that post-lunch drowsy feeling.

By 3 PM or a little after, I’m back at work. If there are any more meetings or calls, I attend those. I also try to spend some time exploring new things in AI, tech, and even marketing, just to stay updated. For that, I mostly rely on social media and Reddit, which I find super helpful for discovering new tools and trends. Around 5:30 to 6 PM, I take a short snack break, and by 7 PM, I log off. But honestly, if I haven’t completed the tasks I had planned for the day, I don’t mind putting in a little extra time.

This is how I spend my working day, a mix of planning, focus, breaks, and the occasional extra hour when needed.

How do you spend your leisure time? Any favorite pastimes?

Deepak: When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me chilling with some good music on — or pet parenting my dog, taking him for walks or drives, which he absolutely lives for.

Who are your closest friends at Wisdm? And who do you turn to for advice?

Deepak: My friends at Wisdm are Abhay & Ishwar . They’ve been with me since my internship and have continuously guided and supported me throughout my journey here. Whenever I need advice whether it’s about code, process, or just how to approach a tricky situation I always turn to Arunesh Sir . His clarity, experience, and guidance have helped me navigate many challenges, and I’m truly grateful for his mentorship.

Who are your role models? How have they influenced your personal and professional lives?

Deepak: One of my biggest role models was Ratan Tata. He was someone I deeply admired not just for his achievements, but for the way he lived his life.
He always stayed humble, even though he was so successful. He believed in doing the right thing, even when it wasn’t the easiest or most profitable choice. And he showed that kind of quiet strength that you don’t always see in leaders today.

I also really looked up to how much he loved animals (especially dogs). You could tell how much they meant to him, and it showed a side of him that wasn’t about power or business, but about care and compassion.

He taught me that being a good person matters just as much as being good at your job. Whether it’s making the right decision at work or being kind to others , those small things make a big difference.

What’s your prediction for the future of technology/design/marketing?

Deepak: I think AI, especially Agentic AI, will be a huge game-changer in the future of technology, design, and marketing. We’re already seeing how powerful AI tools can be in automating repetitive tasks, speeding up workflows, and helping people be more productive. I don’t believe AI will replace humans, but it will definitely change the way we work.

There have been reports of companies trying to replace human roles with AI to cut costs or speed things up. Later, they realized that someone still needs to guide, review, and make sense of what AI produces. In some cases, that lack of human oversight actually ended up costing them more in the long run. For small to medium-sized businesses, I think we’ll see a rise in highly intelligent, productivity-focused tools. These tools will be able to complete tasks that used to take two days in just a few hours or even minutes.

But whether it’s design, marketing, or software development, human intervention will always be valuable. Creativity, judgment, ethics, and emotional intelligence are still uniquely human traits. These are what make the difference between something that works and something that truly connects.

What’s one challenge you faced while working remotely, and how did you overcome it?

Deepak: I wouldn’t say it was a big challenge, but there was one thing that took some getting used to — communication.

Sometimes, it’s hard to explain things clearly over chat. A quick call would be much better, but when you’re working from home, it’s not always easy to get someone on a call right away. Also, there are small home duties or distractions that come up during the day.

It’s not a big problem, but it can make things a bit slower sometimes. I learned to plan ahead, schedule quick calls when needed.

Rapid Fire – 

• Favorite food – Biryani and Chole-Kulche
• One country on your travel list – Honestly? I can’t pick just one! There are so many places I’d love to visit, but Japan, UAE, and Thailand are definitely at the top of my list.
• If you got the chance to be a superhero, what powers would you like to have? – If I got the chance to be a superhero, I’d go with Time Travel because who wouldn’t want to relive the good moments. Or the power to reach anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye
• Coffee, tea, or cutting chai? – Filter Coffee
• The best coder at WisdmLabs is… Deepak 😂
• Your favorite project you’ve worked on at Wisdm – Honestly, whichever AI project I’m currently working on! There’s just something about the challenge of dealing with models, prompts, and unexpected behaviors that keeps things interesting.
• The best part of working at WisdmLabs is – Everyone is approachable, open to sharing their knowledge, and genuinely willing to guide you. It makes learning faster, working smoother, and creates a great environment for growth. I’ve never felt hesitant to ask questions — and that makes a big difference.
• Your preferred way to learn new tech skills – reading, videos, or hands-on? – Videos
• Email, or calls—which one do you prefer? – Calls