Talk Tech With Sonakshi

Read this amazing post on LinkedIn today and think many of us can benefit from the tips Uma shares.💖

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2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Talk Tech With Sonakshi

😺 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐛𝐮 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐈 + 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 💰

I have been fascinated by the Labubu trend this year.

I was amazed to see how rapidly the craze spread from being a quirky accessory on a celebrity's designer handbag to a must-have for children, who carried not just one, but clusters of them on their school bags. 🤓

My first thought, like many, was that this had to be brilliant marketing. The organic (and not-so-organic) push from viral social media content was undeniable, with influencers doing boxes and boxes of unboxings, turning every reveal into a miniature event. 😃

But as the trend exploded, I started thinking beyond the surface. When Pop Mart, the company behind Labubu, announced its profits were set to soar by at least 350%, I knew there had to be a more systematic force at play.

Here is my take on how AI played a decisive, if often invisible, role:

1) 𝐀𝐈 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 + 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐞 📲
There are many AI apps that people can use to generate their own Labubu-inspired digital art and avatars. AI apps can transform selfies, pets, or objects into personalized Labubu versions. The ability to customize content has deepened emotional connection among fans and potential customers, driving enthusiastic sharing across TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms.

2) 𝐀𝐈 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 👾
When a celebrity posted Labubu or an unboxing video started gaining traction, the AI didn't just show it to existing followers. It recognized a potential hit and immediately force-fed it to the "For You" pages of millions of users, creating a powerful viral loop that is impossible without AI. This is how the trend broke out of its niche and achieved global scale at crazy speed.

3)𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 📊
AI monitored comments, reactions, and purchase intent in real-time, has played a huge role in helping Pop Mart adjust supply, create scarcity, and fuel FOMO at just the right moment. This is why you saw Labubu everywhere and why stores kept “selling out.”

Now, here’s the big question: 𝐈𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?

My opinion is that 𝐀𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲. The AI framework I mentioned above is a powerful amplifier, but it cannot create energy from nothing. It worked for Labubu because the non-AI fundamentals were perfectly in place like A 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭("ugly cute" ) and 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 where a thrilling "hunt," driving repeat purchases and a lucrative secondary market.

I can’t wait to see how long this craze lives.. thoughts?💭😉

#talktechwithsonakshi #ai #labubu #aiml

2 months ago | [YT] | 1

Talk Tech With Sonakshi

🤓 You are UNDERUTILIZING conferences if you are not doing the following 👇🏼

1️⃣ If there’s a headshot booth — TAKE the headshot.
Headshots often cost $50–$150. If a conference is offering them for free, why not make the most of it? Come prepared, look up the agenda in advance, and be headshot-ready. This small step can elevate your professional presence in a big way.

2️⃣ If you didn’t connect on LinkedIn… did it even happen?
You just had an amazing conversation. Don’t let it fade. Send a quick connection request while it’s fresh. Even better — share a post with a key takeaway and tag them.
🤝 Contacts become community when you follow through.

3️⃣ Don’t treat it like speed dating — build real relationships.
It’s not about how many people you meet, but how well you connect. Ask good questions, be curious, and actually listen. One meaningful interaction > 10 surface-level intros.😊

4️⃣ Show up prepared — your elevator pitch matters.
You never know who you’ll run into: a speaker you admire, a hiring manager, or a future teammate. Have a crisp 30-second version of your story ready.
✨ Confidence + clarity = You’ll be remembered.

5️⃣ Apply what you learned — and pay it forward.
The real ROI of a conference starts after you leave. Bring back insights to your team. Post what inspired you. Reflect on how you’ll take action. Inspiration is great — implementation is better.

I did all 5 of these at #WiDSPugetSound 2025, where I had the honor of speaking alongside some phenomenal women in data. 🥳 📸 Photos below from the conference— including my free headshot 😄

#WomenInDataScience #WiDS2025 #CareerGrowth #Leadership #ProfessionalBrand #PayItForward #WITGlobalConference2025 #WomenInTech #Leadership #PublicSpeaking #inspiring #careergrowth #womenindata #talktechwithsonakshi #empower #GenerativeAI #CreativeThinking #AIandInnovation #genAI #llms #womenindatascience #womenindata #womeninstem #widspugetsound #wids #generativeai #ai #machinelearning #datascience #womenintech #widspugetsound2025

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2 months ago | [YT] | 3

Talk Tech With Sonakshi

✨ I just completed 4 incredible years at Google 🥳

On my 4 year Googleversary, I want to share something personal.

The photo on the left is from my days at the The University of Texas at Dallas . I scribbled my dream on the board “Get a full time job at Google 😊”

This board stayed with me throughout my masters, and after I graduated.

At the time, it felt far-fetched. I had no connections, no clear path, just a strong desire to be part of something innovative and meaningful.

But there's what made me achieve my goal — dreams have power when you believe in them and back them with persistent effort. ✨

Today, I look back after completing four incredible years at Google — and I still get chills thinking about how that my scribbled dream became a reality. ❤️💖

Over the past four years, I’ve had the opportunity to:
💡 Work on and contribute to building cutting-edge products that impact millions of lives
🌱 Grow not just as an engineer, but as a communicator, leader, and mentor
💬 Learn that success isn’t always linear — sometimes, it’s in the detours, the hard conversations, the invisible progress

Every high and low has shaped me — and I wouldn't trade this journey for anything.

If you’re chasing a dream that feels too far right now, my advice is to keep going. That little note you write to your future self might just become your reality. 😊

#LifeAtGoogle #UTDallas #google #DreamComeTrue #4YearsAtGoogle #Gratitude #CareerLessons #WomenInTech #EngineeringJourney #GrowthMindset #talktechwithsonakshi #Googleversary #googlecloud #womenincloud

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3 months ago | [YT] | 3

Talk Tech With Sonakshi

🥳 Looking forward to attracting FORTUNE this new year! 🌟

We had such an amazing Chinese New Year celebration at Google! ❤️ Watched some talented performances, won a cute snake magnet at the Arrow Throwing game, learned Chinese calligraphy, and tried Oolong tea and yummy cake!😍

Growing up, I was a very nerdy kid who often skipped events and celebrations just to get extra work and study done. 📝

In hindsight, I realize that by doing so, I missed out on so many fun and meaningful experiences. If you’re in college/university or at work and have the opportunity to attend events, I highly recommend taking it! 🌟

Sometimes, stepping away from the grind and immersing yourself in these moments can be just as valuable as the work itself!❤️💖

I feel so grateful for the opportunity to learn about different cultures, celebrate festivities with my colleagues, and have lots of fun. 😊

🎉Wishing everyone a year filled with luck, prosperity, and happiness! 🐍✨

#LunarNewYear #YearOfTheSnake #GoodFortune #google #lifeatgoogle #newyear #talktechwithsonakshi #chinesenewyear ‪@Google‬ ‪@GoogleDevelopers‬ ‪@sonakshisthoughts‬

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7 months ago | [YT] | 3

Talk Tech With Sonakshi

🥳Thank you for being a part of my community 💖☀️🤗

10 months ago | [YT] | 5

Talk Tech With Sonakshi

🥳 Vegas Wala Birthday 🥰🎉 #birthdayeve

Guys, my dieting finally allowed me to fit in to my fabulous dress! 😂 Just kidding, I am no longer a dieting person!! You have seen my weekend and weekday binges! 🤣

Honestly, this was sitting in my drafts since many many weeks! Today was the day this post was destined to go online. 😛

Birthday was filled with so much fun, adventure and lots of good food! ☺️ Finally went to the Vegas Sphere, watched the movie called “Postcard from Earth”. You literally feel like you are sitting in a big spaceship!💖 Must visit next time you go to vegas!

I did splurge a lot the next day, but of course that is post for another day.😂 Let me know if you’d like to see what I shopped! 🫶🏼

#talktechwithsonakshi #sonakshisthoughts #birthday #vegas #happiness #sonakshipandey #birthdaygirl #bday #vegassphere

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10 months ago | [YT] | 7

Talk Tech With Sonakshi

🎉Checking one big item from my bucket list as I share that I will be speaking at AnitaB.org Grace Hopper Conference 2024!😊

Neelam Koshiya and I will dive into the ethical dimensions of generative AI, discussing transparency, explainability, and how to effectively address the challenges of biased outputs and misinformation. 👏🏼

🔗 The session is “v1162: Responsible Al in
Generative Al Era”. It is a Virtual session so tune in on Oct 9th, 9.00 - 9.45 am PST.

❤️ Add this session to Favorites right now, so you don’t miss it!

AI is transforming our world, but it's up to us to make sure it's done responsibly! ✅

See you (virtually) there—bring your coffee, because this session is brewing up some thought-provoking discussions! ☕ 🌟

#GHC2024 #ResponsibleAI #GenerativeAI #womenintech #womeninstem #ghc #anitaborg #talktechwithsonakshi

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11 months ago | [YT] | 1

Talk Tech With Sonakshi

For those of you not aware Ring is a company that sells security cameras and alarm systems. I thought this was interesting news, 😂, the fun competition aside, will they train AI models to detect ghosts? 👻

1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Talk Tech With Sonakshi

💜3 things you probably knew but needed to recollect 💭

With Ganpati season coming to an end, I wanted to share a few gems I reflected upon:

1) Finding good leadership is instrumental in shaping your career, keeping you motivated, and ensuring your growth. I did not realize this until I found leaders invested in my growth and seeing me succeed. 🛣️

2) Believe me when I tell you this - YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL. Yes, you can! Maybe just not all at once. It is as important to ensure your cup is filled, and you are happy where you are while you chase your next goal. I can't thank my mention Tieisha enough for this sage advice!⭐️

3) Practicing Gratitude goes a long way. 😊 If something your teammate, colleague, or manager did that made you happy or made your life better, TELL THEM! Thanking people is underrated, and plays such an important role in boosting everyone's work morale. 🫶🏼

Have a great week everyone! 😊

#talktechwithsonakshi #reflection #careertips #careeradvice #career #motivation

1 year ago | [YT] | 1