When the generative AI boom began to reshape the technology world, 32-year-old Google customer engineer Rahul Kasanagottu knew he wanted to be part of it. Based in Austin, Rahul had spent years in customer success roles at Google, but he saw a moment he didn’t want to miss.
“During pivotal moments in technology, a lot of people go into it with the goal of making money,” he told Business Insider. “I think more people should think about getting into AI to help influence how it will be used by others.” It was both the right moment and the right motivation.
In April 2023, Rahul welcomed his daughter into the world, just as the global AI frenzy hit full force. Google’s generous parental leave gave him time to bond with his newborn while diving deep into a new learning journey. He decided that while he was feeding bottles and pacing around the living room, he would also start feeding his curiosity. That small decision kicked off a demanding but carefully structured transition into the world of artificial intelligence.
A two-and-a-half-year of self learning
Rahul spent nights and weekends studying, 11 books, countless videos, and multiple technical courses. The path wasn’t quick and he makes that point clear.
He interviewed four to five times internally before landing a role six months ago on Google Cloud’s AI and machine learning team. Today, he designs demos and shows customers how to use Google’s latest AI products.
The constant evolution of AI keeps him on his toes. “The product is changing every day,” he told Business Insider. Working with different customers means the learning never stops.
A large part of Rahul’s growth came from high-impact learning resources. He credits Chip Huyen’s work with helping him understand how businesses apply AI in the real world. He also calls Andrew Ng an “amazing teacher,” especially his deep learning courses.
The support system around him mattered, too. Google’s work culture, his manager’s encouragement, and help from his wife allowed him to balance a demanding job with life as a new father. “I had to prioritize my job and personal learning while also taking care of a new daughter,” he explained to Business Insider.
What was the missing piece?
Though books helped him build understanding, Rahul realised that real-world demonstrations were essential for AI roles. He needed proof of skills not just passion.
He started building solo projects to show that he could translate ideas into working products. Rapidly improving AI tools helped him experiment faster than he expected. Rahul’s story pushes back against the fast-forward expectation many people have around AI careers. “A lot of people who want to get into AI, including me, are in a rush to land an AI job after six months,” he told Business Insider
Machine learning concepts take time to internalise, he said. The breakthrough was not magic, it was consistency. “Sometimes you have to read the same thing again and again to nail that concept entirely,” he added to Business Insider. For anyone following his path, the message is clear: stick with it.
Even after making the jump, Rahul knows this is only the start. AI’s rapid evolution means his education never really ends, but that’s exactly what excites him. He wanted a role where he could impact how AI is used by the world. Now he has one and it is no longer just about hitting his own goals. It’s about shaping the future.