In this Q&A, we sit down with Anurag Jain, Director at Expedia Group, who has a rich career across consumer goods, e-commerce, and travel tech.
Having worked with industry giants like Amazon, Godrej, and Johnson & Johnson, Anurag brings a unique mix of expertise in B2B and B2C business leadership, digital transformation, and building strong, agile teams across Asia.
Additionally, He’s also a bestselling author, recognized as one of India’s top business coaches, and he shares his strategies through his book Powerhouse – AI Playbook, aimed at helping businesses harness the transformative power of AI.
Q1: Anurag, your career spans multiple industries. What’s been your guiding principle in adapting to such different business environments?
Anurag: For me, it’s been about staying humble and always learning. No matter the industry—whether it’s consumer goods, e-commerce, or travel tech—each comes with its own set of challenges and insights in my opinion.
Also, I’ve found that a data-driven approach is critical. When I joined the travel industry, I realized quickly that understanding customer preferences in this field required a shift in thinking compared to e-commerce. So, I focused on building an agile, cross-functional team that could adapt and execute with high velocity. Additionally, Being open to change and innovation is the key to navigating transitions in career.Q2: You’ve driven business transformations across markets. Can you share a strategy that was pivotal to achieving growth?
Anurag: A standout experience for me personally was at Godrej Consumers. In that avatar, I led a small export unit, and we transformed it into a fully operational country business in just two years timeline.
The strategy was all about alignment—across Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain and other functions. I also prioritized hiring and developing local talent who knew the market deeply. Focusing on integration and empowering the team helped us achieve some remarkable growth milestones in a short period.
In summary, It taught me that sustainable growth relies on the people you bring on board and how well they can collaborate across functions.Q3: How did your work in digital transformation lead you to an interest in AI?
Anurag: Working in digital transformation, I saw firsthand how technology can simplify and scale operations. According to me, AI takes it a step further—it can predict trends, personalize customer experiences, and automate routine tasks as a few use cases.
When I first saw the impact of predictive insights on improving customer journeys, I realized AI wasn’t just another tool in my arsenal; it could really elevate decision-making. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer connections, In my experience, AI has the potential to make businesses smarter and more responsive to supercharge their growth.Q4: What skills do you think are crucial for someone building a career in AI and digital business?
Anurag: In my experience, for a strong foundation in AI, skills in data analysis and machine learning are essential, but there’s more to it. I believe adaptability and critical thinking are just as important.
Additionally, I’ve seen how fast AI applications can evolve, so having a mindset of continuous learning really sets people apart. Creativity also plays a big role; combining technical knowledge with innovative thinking and a business sense can help you tackle real-world problems more effectively.
In summary, navigating a successful career in AI needs a continuous learner mindset as this is a very fast evolving space.Q5: How has AI impacted your leadership style in tech and e-commerce?
Anurag: I must say that AI has brought data-driven decision-making into sharper focus. With AI-powered analytics, we can now predict trends, allocate resources more effectively, and improve customer interactions in ways that weren’t possible before.
For me, as a leader, it’s been exciting to use AI to foster an innovative and agile team. AI takes care of repetitive tasks, giving my team more time for strategic work. The biggest use case for me has been the use of AI as personal assistant from writing, to scheduling, to note taking, to analysis and summarizing, in addition to all the business related use cases.Q6: What’s your advice to newcomers interested in AI roles?
Anurag: Start with the basics of data science and machine learning—these fundamentals are your building blocks. Also, Practical experience, like working on small AI projects or internships, can make a huge difference.
One thing I always emphasize is the importance of understanding the ethical aspects of AI, especially data privacy and bias. The field is competitive, but persistence and a mindset of learning will help newcomers build impactful careers in AI.Q7: Could you share an example where AI-driven insights directly influenced business outcomes?
Anurag: Sure, one that comes to mind is in e-commerce, where we implemented an AI recommendation engine to analyze customer behavior. The engine suggested products based on each user’s preferences, which significantly boosted our conversion rates. Not only did it improve customer satisfaction, but it also made the entire shopping experience more relevant and engaging.
The AI-driven insights allowed us to anticipate customer needs and respond proactively, adding a level of personalization that traditional analytics couldn’t achieve. It helped us tremendously boost the customer conversion, cross selling and overall cart value.Q8: What AI trends do you see as game-changers for businesses?
Anurag: There are many venues where I already see AI creating waves and a positive impact on business productivity. Predictive analytics, customer personalization, and automation are shaping business transformations.
Predictive analytics, in particular, helps companies forecast shifts in the market, so they can adjust strategies in real time. Personalization enables a tailored customer experience, and automation streamlines customer service and operations. These trends are redefining how businesses approach customer interactions, decision-making, and scalability. In my opinion, we have a very promising future ahead of us with AI.Q9: For those aiming to become AI specialists, where should their focus be?
Anurag: A solid understanding of math, statistics, commercial application and programming—especially Python—is essential. Beyond that, machine learning and data science are critical areas to master.
I also personally suggest learning about how AI applies in business, like customer insights and operational efficiencies. It’s this combination of technical skill and business understanding that really makes a difference. Hope it helps.Q10: How does AI help your team make more effective decisions?
Anurag: With AI we’re able to make decisions faster and with greater accuracy. For example, AI algorithms can process large amounts of data (in our case in Expedia, its petabytes of data!) to reveal actionable insights on customer behavior and market trends. This lets us quickly adapt to changes and seize opportunities that we might otherwise miss.
By making AI part of our decision-making process, we can refine our strategies with precision and agility, helping our team make effective decisions.Q11: How can AI support businesses in traditional industries?
Anurag: AI can make traditional sectors like retail more efficient and improve customer experiences. Take manufacturing as an example—AI can anticipate equipment breakdowns, reducing downtime and costs, and even improve productivity.
In retail, AI-driven personalization can drive sales by showing customers relevant recommendations. AI enables these sectors to overcome challenges, stay competitive, and evolve with changing customer needs helping with continuous improvement.Q12: What’s the most challenging part of building AI-driven teams?
Anurag: Balancing technical expertise with business acumen can be challenging. An effective AI team needs skills in data science and analytics, but also a good understanding of the company’s goals. This is where I see the largest gap, particularly in terms of commercial application.
In my experience, I’ve found that the best AI teams are diverse and agile, able to translate complex AI models into practical solutions that align with company objectives.Q13: What do you look for when hiring AI talent?
Anurag: I look for technical expertise combined with problem-solving skills, customer centricity and adaptability. Since AI is constantly evolving, candidates who are committed to learning stand out. Communication is key as well — AI talent needs to explain complex concepts to non-technical teams.
Lastly, integrity is essential, especially with AI’s ethical implications. We need people who prioritize responsible and transparent AI use, and are not afraid to challenge status quo.Q14: How has AI transformed the customer journey in e-commerce?
Anurag: AI allows us to personalize the customer journey. By analyzing user preferences, AI can recommend products that align with individual tastes, making shopping more engaging and boosting conversion rates.
AI-powered chatbots also offer real-time support, enhancing the experience from start to finish. Overall, the journey has become more seamless and customer-centered.Q15: Any advice for leaders integrating AI into their companies?
Anurag: Leaders should approach AI with a clear vision. Start with small, impactful projects, and make data-driven decisions. Build a culture of continuous learning and encourage innovation.
In my recommendation, the goal is to make AI a value driver, not just a buzzword. Also, consider ethical implications—it’s essential to adopt AI responsibly and transparently.
Checkout Bestselling Book on AI by Anurag Jain and Supercharge Your Careers in AI!
Buy AI Powerhouse on Amazon here.
About the Expert – Anurag Jain is a seasoned leader in international markets, specializing in FMCG, e-commerce, and travel tech. With a proven track record at companies like Johnson & Johnson and Godrej, he has successfully transformed startup operations and driven growth at Amazon and Expedia. Currently, Anurag leads a high-performance team at Expedia, collaborating with CXOs and partners in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia to enhance traveler experiences and achieve commercial success, leveraging his expertise in digital business and brand building.
