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Two Indian-origin executives among inaugural AI 50 honorees
Shekhar, and Deshpande were recognized for pioneering AI-driven digital solutions, and transforming citizen services through innovative, human-centered technologies.
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Bhavana P - Sat, 30, Aug 2025
- 16:23 EDT
- 24
(L-R) Vidhu Shekhar (Image- gfoa.org) and Nikhil Deshpande (Image- Georgia.gov) /
Two Indian-origin leaders have been recognized in the inaugural AI 50 Awards, announced by the Center for Public Sector AI (CPSAI), a division of e.Republic, a leading media and advisory company.
Vidhu Shekhar, director of public sector artificial intelligence Strategy at Microsoft, and Nikhil Deshpande, chief digital and AI officer for the state of Georgia, were named among the honorees for their significant contributions to the adoption and responsible use of AI in the public sector.
Also read: Indian-origin authors among 2025 Kirkus Prize Finalists
Shekhar in his current role focuses on U.S. State and Local Governments. With over 15 years of experience across government agencies, consulting firms, and enterprise companies, he has led teams to deliver enterprise-wide value through strategic technology decisions. A native of Jamshedpur, India, Shekhar began his career in public service in Los Angeles, contributing to projects such as Foothill Transit’s first electric bus route and modernizing evidence management systems for the L.A. District Attorney’s Office. His consulting work at KPMG further deepened his expertise in governance and program management for large-scale technology initiatives.
Apart from his role at Microsoft, Shekhar is also the curator of Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Cases in State & Local Government. Beyond his professional career, he is active in community service, serving on nonprofit boards in Sacramento.
Deshpande, in his current role, leads the Office of Digital Services (DSGa) under the Georgia Technology Authority. A pioneer in civic technology, he envisioned and directed Georgia’s transition to GovHub, the nation’s first state enterprise web publishing system built on open-source Drupal.
His efforts established Georgia as a leader in user-centric, inclusive digital governance. Deshpande also spearheaded the state’s early adoption of social media, making the government more transparent and responsive to citizens. With master’s degrees in visual communications from IIT Bombay and interaction design from SCAD, he has taught graduate courses in UX and interaction design at SCAD’s Atlanta campus.
Recognized with numerous awards, including Atlanta’s 40 under 40, Deshpande continues to drive innovative, accessible, and impactful digital solutions for government and citizens alike.
The AI 50 Awards recognize the rapid shift in how governments are deploying artificial intelligence — from chatbots and workflow automation to the creation of dedicated AI working groups. Winners were selected from a wide pool of nominees, submitted by colleagues and partners across the public and private sectors.
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