1. Congratulations on your achievements in the NY Digital! Could you start by introducing yourself or your agency? Can you also share a bit about your journey into your current industry?

Thank you! I’m Tenny Enoch Devadas, a Full-Stack Lead Engineer and Architect with over 18 years of experience in the IT industry. My journey began with a deep passion for solving real-world problems through technology. Over the years, I’ve worked across fintech, agriculture, and healthcare, specializing in AI, cloud-native architectures, and data-driven solutions. My career has been a blend of engineering leadership, hands-on innovation, and a constant drive to push the boundaries of what technology can achieve.

2. What inspired you to submit your work for this competition, and what does winning mean to you personally and professionally?

I submitted my work because I believe innovation should not only solve technical challenges but also create meaningful societal impact. Winning this award is both a personal milestone and a professional validation — it reinforces the value of building AI and data science solutions that are practical, scalable, and impactful.

3. Can you share the story behind your success? What inspired its creation, and what do you feel it represents in today’s industry?

The award-winning project stemmed from a vision to leverage AI and data science to improve decision-making and efficiency in critical sectors. What inspired me was the need for trustworthy AI systems — tools that don’t just process data but deliver actionable, transparent insights. In today’s industry, it represents the shift from experimenting with AI to embedding it responsibly into products and services.

4. What do you believe set your project apart in such a competitive field? Were there specific elements or strategies that made it shine?

I believe the differentiator was the end-to-end execution — from conceptualizing the solution, architecting it with cloud scalability in mind, and ensuring explainability of AI outputs. Additionally, I focused on practical deployment strategies rather than theoretical frameworks. That balance of innovation and implementation made it stand out.

5. Every project has its challenges. Can you share a significant obstacle you faced during this process and how you overcame it?

One major challenge was ensuring data quality and governance. AI is only as strong as the data behind it. We faced fragmented and inconsistent datasets that could have derailed the project. To overcome this, I built a robust data pipeline with validation layers and anomaly detection, ensuring integrity and trustworthiness at scale.

6. Winning an award of this caliber often brings recognition. What do you hope this achievement will mean for your career, your team, or your agency in the long run? Have you already noticed any changes or opportunities arising from this recognition?

I see this award as a platform to amplify collaboration opportunities with industry leaders and innovators. It opens doors to new projects, partnerships, and cross-industry applications of AI. Already, I’ve seen increased interest from clients and peers in exploring how these solutions can be tailored to their unique challenges.

7. What has the reaction been from clients, audiences, or stakeholders about your winning entry? Any feedback or memorable moments that stand out?

The response has been incredibly encouraging. Clients shared that this recognition affirms the strength, reliability, and forward-thinking approach behind the solutions we developed. One moment that stood out was when a stakeholder told me, “This isn’t just an award for technology; it’s an award for impact.” Hearing that truly reminded me why I do this work.

8. For those aspiring to achieve similar success, what advice would you offer to help them not only thrive in their industries but also craft compelling, award-worthy entries? Are there specific practices, mindsets, or strategies you believe are key?

My advice would be: Start with impact — focus on solving real problems that genuinely matter. Tell the story — awards recognize not only the technology, but the purpose behind it. Stay resilient — every project will face challenges, but persistence makes all the difference. Keep a learner’s mindset — continue growing as the industry evolves.

9. The creative industry is constantly evolving. How do you view these changes, and where do you hope to position yourself in the future?

The industry is moving toward AI-driven creativity and personalization. I see myself contributing to building systems that seamlessly blend human creativity with machine intelligence. My goal is to remain at the forefront of innovation, shaping solutions that balance efficiency, ethics, and empathy.

10. Entering awards can be daunting for many, especially those just starting out. What would you say to individuals who have limited experience, or are hesitant to showcase their work in competitions? How can they build confidence and see the value in participating?

I’d say don’t wait until you think your project is “perfect.” Competitions are learning experiences. Submitting your work not only gives you visibility but also helps you benchmark yourself against the best in the field. Confidence grows through participation and feedback, not before it.

11. Creativity thrives on community. What message would you like to share with fellow creatives, marketers, and advertising professionals?

Let’s focus on collaboration over competition. The most groundbreaking ideas often emerge when diverse perspectives intersect. Together, we can push the boundaries of creativity while ensuring it remains inclusive and impactful.

12. Winning is a team effort in many cases. Is there someone or a group of people you’d like to dedicate this achievement to, and why?

I dedicate this achievement to my mentors, colleagues, and peers who have continually encouraged me to think bigger and do better. And to my family, for their unwavering support — it takes a strong foundation to pursue ambitious dreams.

13. If you could describe your award-winning entry in one sentence, what would it be and why?

“A scalable, AI-powered solution that bridges data science with real-world impact.” Because it wasn’t just about algorithms — it was about building something practical, ethical, and genuinely transformative.

14. Finally, what’s next for you? Any exciting projects or upcoming goals that you’d like to share with us and the audience?

Next, I’m focused on expanding AI-powered personalization in finance, while also mentoring the next generation of engineers and innovators. I also have upcoming publications and collaborations in AI ethics and applied machine learning, which I’m very excited to share soon.

Winning Entry

2025
NY Digital Awards Winner - Debt Intelligence Platform for Personalized Relief by Tenny Enoch Devadas

Debt Intelligence Platform for Personalized Relief

Entrant

Tenny Enoch Devadas

Category

Apps & Softwares - Best Technical Achievement