Monash Faculty of Information Technology welcomes inaugural Associate Dean (Innovation) and new Director of Monash AI Institute
The Faculty of Information Technology (IT) has appointed Professor Shonali Krishnaswamy as both its first Associate Dean (Innovation) and new Director of the Monash AI Institute (formerly the Monash Data Futures Institute).
Professor Shonali Krishwaswamy
Having worked extensively across Australia and Singapore, Professor Krishnaswamy brings over 20 years’ experience in research, innovation and enterprise from positions such as Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of AiDA Technologies, Singapore.
In these roles, Professor Krishnaswamy was integral to the success of the company’s flagship product SMART CLAIMS, an AI-driven solution for automating health insurance claims while efficiently detecting fraud. This technology has been adopted by Singapore’s major Shield insurers and processes a significant proportion Shield health claims health nationally.
Professor Krishnaswamy was also Head of the Data Analytics Department at the Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore leading a team of 70 data scientists and engineers.
This deep experience in entrepreneurship and leadership will be integral to Professor Krishnaswamy’s impact as Associate Dean (Innovation). Collaborating across the University, she will spearhead initiatives such as establishing the Faculty’s Innovation Strategic Plan, driving research commercialisation and fostering entrepreneurship within students.
‘Professor Krishnaswamy’s work will be central to translating our research into widespread applications while empowering the next generation of technology leaders.’ said Professor Ann Nicholson, Dean of the Faculty of IT.
Combined with her proven expertise in AI, intelligent systems and data science, Professor Krishnaswamy is also well-placed to lead the Monash Data Futures Institute into its new chapter as the Monash AI Institute – building on the legacy left by its founding Director, Professor Joanna Batstone.
‘Over the past four years, I have had the pleasure of establishing the Institute and its vibrant community of researchers. Together we have pursued many interdisciplinary projects for social good, and driven initiatives that have facilitated thought leadership and knowledge sharing with a global audience,’ said Professor Batstone.
‘I look forward to witnessing the Institute’s evolution with Professor Krishnaswamy now at the helm.’
Located in the heart of the Monash Precinct, the Monash AI Institute is a powerful catalyst of data-driven change for social good. It is the nexus of one of the largest cohorts of AI and data science researchers in the Asia-Pacific, connecting the world’s best minds while enhancing the University’s global reputation and research impact.