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Behind the Technology: Aman Gupta
By Aman Gupta, Senior Software Development Engineer
We believe that travel is a force for good. Our advanced technology helps travelers everywhere create amazing journeys, and our Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools power unforgettable personalized experiences. Every day, we find new ways to combine our industry knowledge with advanced tech solutions to build a more open world for everyone, everywhere.
In this blog we go behind the scenes to learn about some of the work that goes into powering the tech that drives our features and products. Senior Software Development Engineer, Aman Gupta, based in Gurgaon, India, discusses how EG leverages unsupervised machine learning techniques to categorize unstructured traveler feedback, and how he’s been supported in his career development at EG so far.
Tell us about yourself and your career at Expedia Group.
My name is Aman Gupta, and I am a Senior Software Developer at Expedia Group. I joined EG in October 2018 and have had the privilege of working on various key initiatives, primarily focused on building Java-based applications for the EG conversation platform. Apart from my work in Java, I’ve also had the opportunity to explore machine learning, a domain I’m passionate about, thanks to the supportive leadership at EG. Currently, I am leading multiple initiatives within the Strategic Partnership and Affiliates domain, where my primary focus is on designing scalable and extendable solutions that align with our strategic goals.
Why did you decide to join Expedia Group?
I was drawn to EG because of its strong reputation for innovation and its mission to power global travel for everyone, everywhere. EG’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems also resonated with me, and I’ve experienced this by always having access to the latest tools and technologies, which allows me to perform my job effectively. Since joining, my journey has been incredibly fulfilling. The culture at EG has been supportive and empowering, emphasizing continuous learning, which allows me to grow both technically and professionally. Additionally, the commitment to work-life balance and inclusion ensures that I can work at my best while also maintaining my well-being. The culture here has been a key factor in my success.
You’ve written an insightful article about ‘Machine Learning – Customer Feedback’. What is the impact of this work?
My role directly impacts the business by enhancing our ability to understand and respond to traveler feedback efficiently. Automating the categorization of feedback allows us to quickly identify trends and areas for improvement, leading to a more personalized and satisfying traveler experience. This, in turn, helps us build stronger relationships with our travelers and maintain our competitive edge in the market.
In my article, I explored how we can leverage unsupervised learning techniques to categorize traveler feedback, which is often vast and unstructured. This project was particularly exciting for me because it combined my interest in machine learning with practical applications that directly benefit our travellers. I was responsible for designing and implementing the machine learning models with my team, which were then fine-tuned to ensure they provided meaningful insights that our teams could act upon. This screen recording shows an example of one area of user feedback I work on.
Expedia Group’s culture of innovation and inclusivity was instrumental in supporting my work on this project. The leadership was not only open to new ideas but also actively encouraged exploration and experimentation. This culture allowed me to take initiative and delve into machine learning, even though my primary expertise was in Java. The resources and collaborative environment at Expedia Group made it possible to bring this project to life.
For this project I utilized a variety of tools and technologies. Python was the key instrument for data processing and model development, while TensorFlow was employed for machine learning. We also leveraged AWS services for deployment and scalability. Additionally, several other EG applications were integrated to build robust backend pipeline, ensuring that we were able to categorize traveler’s feedback.
Why is it important for you to work on innovative technology initiatives?
Working on innovative technology initiatives is crucial because it allows us to make a tangible impact on our travelers’ experiences. At Expedia Group, innovation is part of our DNA, and contributing to the projects that push the boundaries of what’s possible is incredibly rewarding. These initiatives not only enhance my skills but also ensure that we are continually improving our products and services for our travelers.
It’s essential for Expedia Group to stay ahead of innovation to ensure that our systems are resilient and capable of handling unexpected challenges. Practices like stress-testing and chaos engineering allow us to identify potential weaknesses in our systems before they affect our travellers. By proactively addressing these issues, we can maintain the reliability and trustworthiness of our services, which is crucial for our business.
What has been the most rewarding part of your EG journey?
The most rewarding part of my journey at EG has been the opportunity to work on projects that make a real positive impact on millions of travelers worldwide. Seeing how my work helps improve traveler experiences and contributes to the company’s success is incredibly fulfilling. Being part of a team that is committed to innovation and excellence makes every day here exciting and rewarding.
Additionally, I have a passion for problem-solving. I recall an interesting project wherein there was a need in our organisation to curb fraudulent transactions, and we were challenged to build a service for detecting such fraudulent transactions in near-real time. My team and I developed a tailored application that combined customized rules with a machine learning algorithm to predict probability of the transaction being fraudulent. It was a rewarding experience.
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