How can businesses use AI responsibly while keeping human judgment at the centre? In this episode of Her Voice, the podcast from The Choice by ESCP, Farah Pankhania, Business Intelligence Engineer at Amazon and ESCP alumna, reflects on her career at the intersection of data, AI, and business. She shares how curiosity shaped her path into technology, why storytelling is becoming one of the most valuable skills in data, and what it takes to find your voice as a woman in tech.
Building a career where data meets business
Originally from India and now based in Luxembourg, Pankhania discovered programming while still in school. What began as an introduction to coding quickly developed into a broader interest in engineering, leading her to build a career across several technical roles before specialising in data and business intelligence.
After several years in the workforce, she decided to return to higher education with a clear objective. “When you want to go back to studying after a few years of working, you want to make a very conscious choice and know exactly what you want to gain from it.”
ESCP’s MSc in Big Data and Business Analytics offered the combination she was looking for: a stronger understanding of business alongside technical expertise, an international learning environment, and the opportunity to study across multiple countries.
Today, her work focuses on helping organisations transform complex and fragmented data into meaningful business insights. Collaborating with finance, operations, and engineering teams, she develops frameworks that allow decision-makers to better understand their organisations and make informed decisions. “You may think that in big organisations all data is very clean and structured, but it’s usually not the case,” she explains.
Combining AI with human judgment
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into business processes, Pankhania uses it to accelerate tasks that previously required days of manual analysis. AI can help identify patterns, organise information, and generate insights more efficiently, allowing teams to focus on higher-value work.
However, she is equally aware of the limitations of these technologies. Successful AI adoption depends not only on powerful models but also on strong data governance, continuous validation, and human oversight. “When working with AI, make sure to validate the data, and build up rules or systems, and give AI some feedback,” she says. “With AI, human credibility becomes of prime importance.”
For Pankhania, the professionals who will thrive in the age of AI are those who combine technical expertise with critical thinking and effective communication. Extracting insights from data is only part of the job; creating value means helping others understand and act on those insights. “Finding insights from data is not enough unless you have a good story to tell. If you’re able to communicate it and sell it, that’s when it becomes real value.”
Finding your voice in the tech industry
Throughout her career, Pankhania has often found herself as the only woman on technical teams. While these situations can be intimidating, she has learned to see them as opportunities to bring a different perspective to the conversation.
Rather than trying to speak more loudly, she advocates for speaking with clarity and confidence. Taking time to respond, setting boundaries, avoiding over-explaining, and building relationships with colleagues who actively support your growth are all strategies she considers essential. “Finding sponsors who will actually allow you to be in those opportunities is really important,” she explains.
Her broader advice extends beyond the technology sector. Sustainable careers are built through consistency, openness, and authenticity rather than trying to fit preconceived expectations. As she puts it: “Stay consistent, stay open, and show up as yourself in the small rituals and choices that make up every day.”
Ultimately, Pankhania’s experience demonstrates that while AI is transforming how organisations work, its greatest value still depends on people: those who can question, communicate, and turn data into decisions.
To learn more about Farah Pankhania’s perspective on AI, data, and building a career in technology, listen to Her Voice Season 3, episode 3.
