Innovation doesn’t have to come with an enterprise-sized price tag. In this insightful session, Asha Saxena, Founder & CEO of WLDA, is joined by Shree Periakaruppan, Head of Data Strategy, Engineering & BI at the American College of Radiology, to discuss practical, cost-conscious approaches to scaling AI within both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Drawing from her deep experience across sectors, Shree outlines how data leaders can maximize existing resources, leverage industry grants, and build a strong data foundation to enable AI—all while maintaining strict governance and controlling cloud costs.
This conversation offers a rare look into how high-impact AI transformation can be led with lean budgets, rigorous testing, and strategic vendor partnerships.
You’ll learn:
- How to access and apply for AI and cloud innovation grants (e.g., AWS Imagine Grant, Microsoft Founders Hub)
- Proven tactics for evaluating and negotiating with vendors before committing budget
- How to build a cost-governed cloud infrastructure and eliminate unnecessary spend
- Why unstructured data readiness, stakeholder alignment, and human-in-the-loop validation are critical for trustworthy AI
- Frameworks for AI policy, security, and training tailored for resource-constrained teams
Speaker
Shree Periakaruppan — Head of Data Strategy, Engineering & BI, American College of Radiology
Moderator
Asha Saxena — Founder & CEO, WLDA | The AI Factor Institute
Duration
~ 30 minutes
