Nikhil S. Shahani M.S. ’17 is Breaking New Ground in AI, Cybersecurity and Business Intelligence
In his role as a technology leader in AI and data engineering for Deloitte, Nikhil S. Shahani M.S. ’17 is at the cutting edge of business intelligence. As a Stevens alumnus, he is a subject matter expert and advocate for the next generation of Stevens graduates.
"My journey from a struggling family in India to a technology leader in the U.S. exemplifies the transformative power of education and perseverance," Shahani reflects. "Stevens Institute of Technology was my gateway to America and a world of opportunities."
With a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Mumbai, Shahani was drawn to Stevens' cutting-edge programs in business intelligence and analytics. "The prospect of working with pioneers in these fields was irresistible," he says.
Supported by scholarships and leveraging his prior experience in tech consulting, Shahani excelled academically while actively contributing to campus life. He served as a graduate assistant, tour guide and member of the Indian Graduate Student Association, embodying Stevens' spirit of community and innovation.
After graduation, Shahani's career trajectory took off. At industry-leading consulting services firm Deloitte, he rapidly ascended to technology leader for AI and data engineering, overseeing multimillion-dollar projects in artificial intelligence, machine learning and analytics.
His work spans data governance, technology implementations and improvements to state benefit systems. He has played a pivotal role in delivering cutting-edge solutions across the entire portfolio of state, federal government and Fortune 100 companies. Shahani has led the development and solution of various enterprise-level problems and conceived advanced and complex AI solutions that streamline industry and government processes. Now, with more than 10 years of experience, Shahani has established a distinguished career in AI, cybersecurity, machine learning, data and analytics. His valued contributions encompass both academic and professional communities.
"Stevens' rigorous curriculum and exceptional career support were instrumental in preparing me for leadership at Deloitte," Shahani acknowledges. He has since pursued advanced studies at prestigious institutions like Harvard, MIT, Cornell and Stanford, where he has earned numerous professional certifications in product innovation, digital transformation and applied generative AI.
At the postdoctoral level, Shahani has become a leading expert in AI and its large-scale applications. A testament to his expertise and recognition in the field is his extensive experience in reviewing scholarly manuscripts. Over the course of 10 years, he has been entrusted with the critical task of evaluating over 115 manuscripts for leading journals and conferences worldwide. He has consistently been recognized by peers, clients and other industry leaders for his pivotal role in AI applications and has received several industry accolades and awards.
Shahani's commitment to professional growth is matched by his dedication to giving back to the community. He is active in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and other professional societies, volunteers for various charitable organizations, and regularly returns to Stevens as a mentor and panelist.
"I'm passionate about sharing my experiences — successes and failures alike — to empower the next generation of innovators," Shahani explains. "My goal is to inspire students to acquire practical skills, embrace challenges, remain curious and trust in their abilities."
"Stevens gave me the foundation for success, and I'm committed to paying it forward. Go Ducks!"
