Women Leaders Powering AI Innovation At Amazon Web Services India

Behind Amazon's AI systems—which process millions of customer interactions daily through personalized recommendations, supply chain forecasting, and voice assistants—are women leaders designing platforms, building architectures, and translating cutting-edge technology into seamless customer experiences. As Amazon embeds AI across its technology ecosystem, from shopping experiences to generative AI tools through Amazon Web Services (AWS), India has emerged as a critical innovation hub, with technology teams building systems that support millions of customers globally.

Three leaders at Amazon India exemplify this innovation-driven approach. Gitanjali Bhutani, Payal Gupta, and Swetha Shankar develop technology platforms that power every step of the customer journey—from the moment customers discover products to the seamless checkout experience. Their work spans customer-facing shopping experiences to internal collaboration tools, demonstrating how AI innovation touches every part of the business.

Leading Innovation at Scale

Gitanjali Bhutani, Director of Software Development, leads teams developing high-volume system that drive the great prices Customers see on Amazon. Her recent work includes leveraging generative AI to triple the number of transactions carried out by these systems. She drives complex engineering initiatives that require both technical depth and strategic thinking. "Build an excited and motivated team, and you will naturally always have high-performing technology systems and never a dearth of innovation”, Gitanjali reflects. “I have seen firsthand how creating inclusive environments, giving people opportunities to do what they never thought they could, and having faith in them can unlock potential in engineers.” Through programs like AmazeWIT and Women in Leadership, Gitanjali actively mentors women engineers across Amazon India, motivating them to achieve their dreams no matter how difficult it may seem, helping them navigate career growth, and develop skills for senior technical roles.

Payal Gupta, Director of Software Development for Central Shopping Experience, leads engineering teams that build large scale, multi-region technology solutions powering critical shopping experiences worldwide. Her teams design customer experiences that serve millions of transactions, ensuring customers can seamlessly discover, evaluate, and purchase products across Amazon's global marketplace. Her current focus area includes transforming shopping journeys into effortless, hyper personalized, delightful experiences using generative AI. She translates complex technical challenges into scalable architectures that support continuous innovation while maintaining operational resilience. She is a passionate diversity champion, leading DEI conversations and actively mentoring women across teams.

Swetha Shankar, Director of Software Development, leads Amazon India Retail technology teams that build highly available technology platforms that power customer and business experiences at global scale. She champions GenAI initiatives across Amazon India, spearheading AI-led innovation for complex, customer-centric programs. Her leadership has shaped the development of infrastructure for real-time data processing and analytics, enabling faster, more informed decisions that enhance customer experiences. She combines deep technical expertise with a strong focus on building high-performing engineering teams that consistently deliver innovation with reliability. “Building systems at Amazon's scale requires thinking beyond just the technology,” Swetha explains. “It demands a deep understanding of how customer needs, innovative technology, and high-performing teams intersect.”

Building an Ecosystem for Women's Success

The technical contributions of leaders like Gitanjali, Payal, and Swetha are amplified through their active participation in programs that develop talent across the entire career spectrum. Amazon's approach to women's empowerment spans from students exploring career pathways to professionals accelerating their growth and leaders multiplying their impact.

For students and early-career professionals, Amazon Future Engineer scholarships expand access to computer science education for girls from underserved communities, while Amazon WoW builds career readiness through skills development and industry exposure. AmazeWIT creates pathways for women entering technology through learning, networking, and role-model access. As professionals advance, Women in Leadership (WIL) helps participants strengthen executive presence and advance their careers, while Catapult, developed with Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning, equips women leaders with strategic capabilities required for larger business roles. Beyond the workplace, Amazon Saheli enables women entrepreneurs to build and scale businesses through marketplace access, logistics, and capability building.

Together, these initiatives reflect Amazon's commitment to building an ecosystem where women can grow, lead, and shape the future of technology.