Computing’s Top 30: Lokesh Lagudu

Lokesh Lagudu is one of our "Computing's Top 30 Early Career Professionals" for 2025. This program seeks to highlight an esteemed group of rising stars who earned this honor for their exceptional early-career achievements and role in driving advancements across the computing landscape. 

Introduction

I’m Lokesh Lagudu, a Senior Engineering Leader focused on building high-scale platforms and AI-driven systems. I currently serve as a Senior Engineering Manager at Walmart, where I work in the Store Vision Services organization on computer vision and AI products designed to reduce shrink and improve retail operations at scale.

Can you talk about an interesting problem you are solving currently?

I am currently working on innovation in retail shrink prevention through computer vision and AI. The scale of the problem is significant: analysis from the National Retail Federation shows that U.S. retailers lose over $150 billion annually, with the global impact even higher. At Walmart, a Fortune 1 company operating at unmatched scale, this is a critical area where technology can make a measurable difference. My focus is on building AI-powered systems that can identify and assess shrink-related events in real time, and turn those insights into reliable, production-grade solutions that improve operations and reduce loss.

What inspired you to pursue a career in technology?

My inspiration to pursue technology began with scarcity. I grew up in India in a low-income family, and at my school, there was only one classroom with eight computers for about 80 students. That meant each of us got only a few minutes at a time before passing the computer to someone else. Looking back, it’s a funny story, but at the time those five minutes felt incredibly special. That limited access did not reduce my interest; it actually amplified it. The excitement I felt during those moments stayed with me as I grew up, and it gradually became the foundation for my career in technology.

What do you consider your highest achievement so far?

One of my highest achievements has been helping build and scale systems that operate at very large volume while also creating lasting business value. Across roles at Walmart and Twilio, I have had the opportunity to lead platforms that process billions of events or transactions per day, while also building teams and engineering cultures that can sustain that level of impact.

How do you plan to continue or build on that success?

I plan to build on that success by continuing to work at the intersection of AI, platform engineering, and product execution. Just as important, I want to keep investing in people, because the most durable success comes from combining strong technical systems with strong engineering leadership and mentorship.

Who do you draw inspiration from and how did that motivate you in your education or career?

I have always drawn inspiration from my parents and the experiences we faced as a family when I was young. Growing up, I saw firsthand how much resilience, sacrifice, and strength it took to keep moving forward through life’s challenges. That had a lasting impact on me. It motivated me to value education, make the most of every opportunity, and build a career with determination and gratitude.

How are you currently involved in the tech community aside from your job (volunteering, open-source projects, mentoring, etc)?

Outside of work, I stay involved in the tech community through mentoring, speaking, peer review, and judging. I serve as a judge and mentor for university-level hackathons, and I also mentor through IEEE Collabratec and ADPList. Supporting emerging talent and helping others grow in their careers is something I care deeply about.

Is there any emerging technology or industry segment you find exciting or interesting?

I’m especially excited by the intersection of AGI with Biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry. This space has enormous potential because it brings together computational intelligence and biological science in ways that can create meaningful benefits for society. From speeding up drug discovery and improving clinical decision-making to enabling more personalized medicine, the impact could be transformative. What excites me most is that these technologies can help the community in very practical ways by reducing time to treatment, improving healthcare outcomes, and making innovation in medicine more scalable and accessible.

How do you see technology shaping humanitarian efforts or social good in the next 5 years?

I see technology playing a transformative role in humanitarian efforts and social good over the next five years, with AI and eventually AGI becoming major forces in that progress. We are already witnessing meaningful breakthroughs, such as AI’s role in advancing protein folding, which demonstrates how these technologies can accelerate complex scientific discovery far beyond traditional methods. Looking ahead, I believe the same kind of progress can extend into climate change, biotechnology, healthcare, food systems, disaster response, and even space exploration. The real opportunity is that these technologies can help humanity solve problems at a speed, scale, and depth that were previously unimaginable.

If you have ever worked cross-discipline, how did that influence your way of thinking or the way you approach your work?

One particularly impactful experience came from a student education sponsorship event I attended as a part of ChildFund International and staying connected enough to understand the challenges they were facing beyond academics. During one interaction, the student shared how hard it was to focus on learning while managing personal uncertainty and limited resources at home. That conversation stayed with me because it was a powerful reminder that every person carries realities that may not be visible on the surface.That experience made me more empathetic and changed the way I approach leadership and collaboration. It taught me to look beyond output alone and understand the circumstances, motivations, and pressures that influence how people show up. In my work, that has translated into leading with greater patience, listening more carefully, and creating environments where people feel supported as individuals, not just evaluated by results.

What advice would you give to young professionals or recent graduates who are trying to enter your field?

I would advise young professionals and recent graduates to focus on strong technical fundamentals, but also to develop the mindset of continuous learning. Technology is evolving rapidly, and in the age of AI, the most successful people will be those who learn how to use AI effectively rather than fear it. Instead of seeing AI as a threat, see it as an accelerator that can help you learn faster, solve problems more efficiently, and increase your impact. At the same time, keep investing in the human skills that matter just as much, such as communication, collaboration, adaptability, and critical thinking.

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