Speakers:
Pradeep Tekkey, Chief Data Officer
Krishna Hari, CEO, BizTech Solutions Inc.

From Islands to Intelligence: How Pradeep Tekkey is Shaping the Future of Data and AI at Harbor Capital

In a rapidly evolving digital world, few stories capture the arc of transformation quite like that of Pradeep Tekkey, Chief Data Officer at Harbor Capital Advisors. From growing up in the remote Andaman Islands to leading cutting-edge AI and data initiatives in the U.S., Pradeep’s journey is not just one of career growth—it's a roadmap for resilience, adaptability, and future-focused leadership.

📡 From Shortwave Radio to Data Science

Growing up in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—an isolated archipelago closer to Southeast Asia than mainland India—Pradeep recalls a childhood with only a few hours of electricity and water each day. His only connection to the outside world was a shortwave radio tuned to BBC. It wasn’t until 11th grade that he saw a television for the first time.

That early exposure to limited resources didn’t hinder his aspirations—it sharpened his curiosity. Pradeep moved to Nagpur for his engineering degree and later ventured through India, the Middle East, and finally the U.S., gathering skills across tech, infrastructure, and business strategy.

🧠 The Democratization of AI

When ChatGPT launched in late 2022, something clicked.

“Until then, AI felt like a buzzword—confined to data scientists. Suddenly, everyone could use it. It was intuitive, fast, and shockingly useful. That shifted everything.”

According to Pradeep, the tipping point was accessibility. With tools like ChatGPT, AI left the labs and entered boardrooms, becoming integral to how businesses function.

🛠️ How Harbor is Embracing Generative AI

At Harbor, Pradeep leads the Harbor Data Intelligence team—13 specialists focused on data engineering, data science, and analytics. His team now leverages AI tools not just for analytics, but for accelerating content creation, automation, and prototyping.

He highlights tools like Synthesia for video automation, Replit and Cursor for “vibe coding” (natural language-driven app development), and Agentic AI for autonomous workflows.

“Tasks that used to take weeks and cross-functional teams can now be done in hours by a single person using these platforms.”

🧪 The Rise of Agentic AI

Agentic AI is one of the most exciting developments Pradeep sees on the horizon. Unlike traditional automation, these systems can log into platforms, act on user instructions, and carry out tasks end-to-end—booking travel, gathering market data, or even managing workflows autonomously.

In asset management, this means analysts may soon hand off repetitive data tasks to intelligent agents, allowing teams to focus on insight over execution.

🧭 Staying Relevant in a Shifting World

With the job market evolving and AI taking over basic tasks, Pradeep believes professionals—especially in tech—must “up their game.”

“If you're graduating today, your basic skills are table stakes. You have to be better than the machine—and know how to use the machine to deliver 10x output.”

🧠 Growing Beyond the Role

Having moved across multiple roles—CTO, Head of Distribution Tech, and now CDO—Pradeep credits his adaptability to a simple mindset:

“Zoom out. Always understand how your work ties into the broader business strategy. If you can connect the dots, you’ll grow faster.”

🔄 Final Advice: Learn How You Learn

Instead of relying solely on books, Pradeep stays ahead through a curated podcast lineup, from The Daily and Hard Fork to The AI Daily Brief. His advice? Find what helps you keep up with the pace of change—and double down on it.

Conclusion:

Pradeep’s journey is a masterclass in reinvention. In an age where roles evolve quickly and technology disrupts daily, the key isn’t just to specialise—it’s to stay curious, stay adaptive, and zoom out often.

Whether you’re a CIO, data leader, or just starting out, his story is a reminder: your origin doesn’t define your ceiling. How you learn, adapt, and connect your work to impact—that’s what does.