Building the Future of Learning with AI: The Story of Shubham & SunitechAI
Shubham Sharma is a founder who turned his passion for mathematics, computer science, and AI into a mission to transform how India learns.
Shubham Sharma is an IIT Dhanbad graduate who began his career in petroleum engineering and is a genuine AI and data science enthusiast. Today, he’s building SunitechAI, an AI-powered learning platform designed to give learners a personalised, future-ready experience.
Shubham is creating a future where learning is smarter, more accessible, and deeply personalised. And, we can’t wait to see the impact he creates.
When I graduated from IIT Dhanbad in 2014 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering, the apparent path ahead was clear- join a big oil and gas company, earn well, and build a stable career. And I did just that. I landed an opportunity with Baker Hughes, one of the world's largest oil and gas companies.
But here’s the thing- I had always been drawn to mathematics and computer science. Even in college, I dabbled with projects in data science and analytics. So, while I was technically in petroleum engineering, I spent a fair bit of time trying to solve problems using data.
At Baker Hughes, too, I gravitated toward data-driven challenges. In fact, I worked on machine learning projects way back in 2014-15, when it wasn’t the buzzword it is today. I could see the enormous potential of data science and machine learning and knew I wanted to pursue it seriously.
Returning to India: A Hard but Fulfilling Choice
Moving back to India was probably one of the hardest decisions of my life. Almost everyone I knew- mentors, colleagues, peers- encouraged me to stay back in the U.S. “Build there,” they said, “the ecosystem is more mature.”
But my vision was always different. My heart was set on creating something for Indian learners. I wanted to contribute to my country’s growth in my own way, and I knew India was where I wanted to be.
That’s how SunitechAI was born in 2024, named after my mother, Sunita, as a tribute to her, who was a teacher herself. My goal is to make learning in data science and AI more accessible, personalised, and cost-effective for professionals and students. With my 9+ years of experience in this field, I knew I could build something unique.
At SunitechAI, we are creating an integrated learning experience powered by Agentic AI systems, which customise learning journeys for each learner.
The Founder Journey: Challenges and Rewards
Of course, this journey hasn’t been easy. I knew that when I signed up for it. But the challenges are what make it exciting.
One of the hardest parts has been building the right team- finding people who believe in the vision as much as I do. Another is responding to customer feedback, which can sometimes be brutally honest but also extremely valuable. And then there’s the practical challenge of serving overseas learners. We already have a small but growing international base, and managing different time zones while ensuring everyone gets the right learning experience is tricky.
Despite these hurdles, I enjoy what I do. I’ve always been a risk-taker. When I chose data science over petroleum engineering, I took a leap. I took another when I left a global oil and chemical giant for research. Stepping out of my comfort zone has almost become second nature.
My Take on AI
AI is evolving rapidly, and I believe the key is to keep upskilling. Even with years in the industry, I often find myself catching up with what’s next.
I see this transformation as the shift from Software 1.0 → 2.0 → 3.0. With backpropagation in the 1990s, neural networks became trainable, and that changed everything. Now, with AI 3.0 (Where we are today), we’re rewriting legacy systems altogether.
AI won’t take jobs, but people who know how to use AI will definitely have an edge.
One moment that really reinforced this belief for me was during a week-long workshop I conducted for college students. One project stood out: A student built a lightweight, cost-effective CNN model for detecting tumours in MRI scans, optimised to run on a mobile app.
Now, CNN-based tumour detection isn’t new globally. But making it affordable, mobile, and accessible- that’s innovation for India. It reminded me exactly why I came back!
Handling Highs and Lows
There are certainly some tough days. But I’ve trained myself and my team to expect challenges. Instead of getting bogged down, we immediately switch into solution mode, and that mindset has helped us a lot.
On good days, we make it a point to celebrate, whether it’s team dinners or simply expressing gratitude to one another. In fact, my co-founder recently started a practice where we personally thank people within the team. And here’s the funny part- despite being an AI company, there’s a strict rule: these messages must be original, not AI-generated.
I don’t really “switch off,” but I enjoy travelling and taking photos of the places I visit. That’s my version of unwinding.
What’s Next?
We’re preparing to roll out our proprietary platform, Sage Mind, and launch more courses in collaboration with institutions. We also plan to expand into emerging technologies like quantum computing.
Personally, I think the path forward is very clear. I’ve chosen this journey, and I’ve gone all-in. I can’t imagine myself doing anything other than building SunitechAI. It’s my way of contributing to the ecosystem, solving real problems for learners, and paying forward what I’ve learned.
I know the road will have its challenges; every founder faces them. But I also know that every step, even the tough ones, is bringing me closer to the vision. So, I will keep at it. I will continue building SunitechAI until it becomes what I always imagined: a platform that empowers people to learn, adapt, and thrive in the age of AI.
At Rize, we love seeing founders who don’t just chase opportunities but build from a place of conviction. Shubham Sharma is one of them. Walking away from a stable career to dive into the uncertain world of AI isn’t easy, but Shubham chose to bet on himself and on India’s future. With SunitechAI, he’s shaping how learning will look for the future generation.
Founders like Shubham are exactly what India needs to shape the next wave of innovation.
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Inspiring to have read this!
Such an inspiring journey! 🙌🙌🙌✨️✨️✨️💫💫💫💫