Interview with Nimisha Sharath Sharma | Building the Future of Safer, Smarter Marketplaces with AI

Q: Hi Nimisha! Can you walk us through how your journey into AI and product management began?

Absolutely! I’m an AI-driven Product Manager focused on transforming online marketplaces by identifying inefficiencies and architecting solutions that create measurable impact. My passion for solving complex marketplace inefficiencies began during a research internship under the MITACS Undergraduate Scholar Program, where I worked on optimizing clinical case allocation for home healthcare workers within Quebec’s government-run dispatch system. Our work, which resulted in publications, shaped real-world implementations in home healthcare agencies across Quebec. That early experience showed me the transformative power of AI/ML in solving marketplace challenges and fueled my drive to launch industry-defining AI-powered products.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work at Microsoft—home to the second-largest search ad marketplace globally—Instacart, the leader in U.S. online grocery, and now Uber, the dominant force in US rideshare.

Q: What’s your approach to product management in AI/ML, especially in the context of online marketplaces?

My core skill lies in uncovering overlooked opportunities—deep structural problems within marketplace economies—and leveraging AI/ML to create industry-defining products. I specialize in building AI-powered experiences that align user behavior, marketplace needs, and long-term business outcomes. Whether it’s safety, personalization, or monetization, my work focuses on delivering tangible value that scales.

Q: Can you tell us about your academic background and how it helped build your foundation in AI?

I completed my undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal. Later, I earned a prestigious scholarship to pursue my Master’s in Data Science at the University of Washington. That academic foundation gave me deep technical expertise and a strong research mindset—both of which have helped me tackle large-scale AI challenges in industry.

Q: You’ve worked at Microsoft, Instacart, and Uber. What were some of your most impactful contributions at each?

At Microsoft, I pioneered the launch of unique ad experiences based on complex content types like recipes, lookbooks, and videos, using advanced Transformer-based image and video understanding. These innovations met the needs of post-COVID online shoppers and contributed to nearly $200M in yearly ads revenue.

I also led a Microsoft Hackathon-winning project that created an AI-driven search experience surfacing mental health resources to users making suicidal and self-harm-related queries. This initiative was novel at the time and influenced similar efforts at Google—highlighting its user impact and broader industry relevance.

At Instacart, I helped launch an AI-powered promotions engine that reshaped how brands engage with grocery shoppers. It not only drove sales and brand awareness in the U.S. but also created a net new revenue stream for the company. The impact was significant enough to introduce a new job category in the CPG space, requiring brands to develop AI fluency to stay competitive.

At Uber, I’ve focused on embedding AI/ML into the marketplace to proactively detect and prevent accidents. I spearheaded the development of real-time predictive risk models that identify dangerous driving behaviors, directly contributing to reduced accident rates and saving ~$100M in insurance payouts. I also lead Uber’s motorcycle safety strategy, building telematics models using accelerometer, gyroscope, and sensor fusion data. This industry-defining approach earned Uber the highest safety index rating from the WHO earlier this year and garnered praise from global regulators.

Q: What’s next in your vision for AI and marketplace innovation?

I’m excited to build upon my work in AI-driven road safety by focusing on driver distraction and real-time decision-making. By leveraging emerging techniques—like large language models and video analytics—I hope to develop smarter interventions and unlock deeper behavioral insights. These innovations could set new safety standards not just for Uber, but for the entire mobility industry.

Q: You’re also deeply committed to community leadership and mentorship. Can you tell us more?

Definitely. I was the Conference Director for the first-ever Women in Data Science Seattle Conference, bringing together top voices to discuss AI’s future. I also serve as an Industry Advisor for the University of Washington’s Master in Data Science Program, helping ensure the curriculum remains aligned with evolving industry needs.

As an immigrant woman in tech, I know how hard it can be to break in. That’s why I actively mentor and coach immigrant women, helping them navigate career paths in product management through resume reviews, interview prep, and strategic career coaching. The tech industry thrives when we elevate diverse voices.

Q: You’ve received a lot of recognition for your work. What does that mean to you?

This year, I was honored to be recognized by VentureBeat as one of the Top 50 Product Managers in the U.S. I’ve also been invited to keynote at Just Product in Germany and ProductWorld at DeveloperWeek—the largest product management conference in the world—where I share insights on AI, marketplaces, and ethical product design.

And recently, Business Insider featured my perspective on incorporating AI into everyday life to enhance productivity and simplify routine tasks. I talked about how AI can automate the mundane so we have more space for creativity, strategic thinking, and personal growth. 

Q: Do you also teach and write about AI product management?

Yes! I share my insights on Product Management across platforms like my blog, Hackernoon, Mind the Product, and Medium. To help equip the next generation of PMs with the tools they need, I actively teach AI Product Management through programs like Product Masterclass, Product School, and other leading tech communities. I'm passionate about helping others navigate the evolving role of AI in product—empowering them to thrive in a future where AI isn’t just a tool, but a true game-changer.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring PMs—especially from underrepresented communities?

Your diversity is your superpower. You see things others don’t. Build with empathy. Stay curious. Speak up. Some of the most powerful innovations come from people who question the status quo. We need more voices like yours in AI and product.
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PS: No matter where you are in your journey—breaking into tech, stepping into leadership, launching a new venture, or figuring things out as you go—your story deserves to be heard.

At Products by Women, we believe that real stories spark real change. If you're open to sharing, we’d love to feature your journey and inspire more women navigating careers in tech, finance, and innovation. Ready to share your story? Let’s chat.