Ramprakash Ramamoorthy
Director of AI Research, Zoho Corp.
Years with Zoho
Years with Zoho
What did you want to be while growing up?
Commercial pilot.
Your go-to comfort food?
Virudhunagar (a district in southern India) style parotta (layered Indian flatbread made from refined wheat flour).
A leader that inspires you?
Chung Ju-yung (Founder of the Hyundai Conglomerate).
Describe your current role
in the organization.
I lead AI research at Zoho Corporation and am part of Zoho Labs. At Zoho Labs, our focus is on resolving overarching problems across diverse Zoho Corp. products. As the head of the central AI team, my responsibilities involve close collaboration with product leaders from Zoho and ManageEngine. We guide and assist them in integrating AI capabilities into their products. My team operates across our offices in Chennai, Tenkasi, Coimbatore, and Queretaro (Mexico).
What role does Zoho’s company culture play in your identity and the work that you do?
At Zoho, the culture is refreshingly simple and unassuming, yet it’s deeply rooted in getting to the heart of every challenge. This approach has had a profound influence on me. I’ve learned that delving deeply and thinking long-term are not just strategies for building a successful business; they’re also crucial for personal growth and development. Working at Zoho, I’ve come to value how perseverance and resilience shape not only the organizational culture, but also us as individuals. This realization has been a game-changer for me, both professionally and personally.
What were the highest and lowest points of your journey with Zoho?
The pinnacle of my journey at Zoho has been witnessing our team’s work come to fruition and make a significant impact in the world. What started as a humble project, initiated by me as an intern and solo engineer, has now evolved into a formidable team of over 100 dedicated engineers. Our APIs handle a staggering 5 billion+ hits each month and continue to grow rapidly. This growth and the ability to create tangible differences bring immense pride and gratitude. I’m consistently motivated not to rest on past laurels, but to continue striving for excellence.
Regarding the challenging moments, they’re somewhat different at Zoho. Here, we constantly juggle various technological choices and experiments. Certainly, not every initiative takes off, and we’ve faced rapid failures. However, due to the supportive and resilient culture of the organization, these instances have never truly felt like lows. Instead, they’ve served as valuable learning experiences, cushioned by the safety net that Zoho provides, ensuring that even setbacks are steps forward in our journey.
Your most embarrassing blunder?
Although not a technical blunder, there was a hilariously awkward moment tied to my name, Ramprakash Ramamoorthy. Given its length, complexity—especially for those outside India—and the abundance of Rams in the office, I’m commonly known as “Ramp,” a nickname reflected in all my official communications. The humor in this situation unfolded at Zoholics Amsterdam. Just before my presentation, I discovered that “Ramp” translates to “disaster” in Dutch. True to the Zoho spirit, I managed to turn it into a joke, quipping, “I hope my presentation isn’t a ‘Ramp’ (disaster),” which lightened the mood and drew a good laugh. It was a memorable way to kick off the presentation and certainly an amusing anecdote to remember.
What are your hobbies or favorite activities outside of work?
Outside of work, my passion revolves around aviation—I’m a true AV geek at heart. This fascination with planes began in my childhood and has only grown over the years. Thanks to my role at Zoho, involving extensive travel for customer and analyst meetings globally, I’ve had ample opportunities to indulge in this hobby. I spend my free time engrossed in the flightradar24 app, where I proudly hold a gold subscription, tracking flights and learning about various aircraft types. My love for aviation isn’t just a passing interest; it’s an integral part of who I am. I’ve had the privilege of flying on 33 different aircraft types across 18 airlines, visiting 14 countries and 47 airports (as of 2023). I meticulously maintain detailed travel logs focused on the aircraft I’ve flown on. Apart from aviation, I also find solace in long walks, providing the perfect opportunity to clear my mind and gather my thoughts.
Words of Wisdom
Drawing from my extensive experience with rapidly evolving, emerging technologies, it’s important to remember that while technology progresses at a breakneck pace, the fundamental principles remain constant. Understanding these basics forms the bedrock of all future innovations.
Maintaining flexibility in approach is vital; rigidity in methods or thinking can hinder progress. Adaptability is key to navigating the unpredictable waters of technological advancement.
Trust in the process. Achieving significant milestones often requires time. It’s crucial to remain patient and motivated, especially when progress seems slow. Remember that good things take time, and perseverance is often rewarded.
Lastly, believe in your team. Every individual brings unique value and perspective to the table. The collective wisdom of a team lies in harnessing these diverse talents and viewpoints. Often, the most groundbreaking ideas emerge from the most unexpected sources.