Praveen Neppalli Naga

Technology at scale is not just about code—it’s about systems, people, and decisions made under pressure. As CTO of Uber, I focus on building platforms that operate in real time, across cities, countries, and millions of users. Every product decision sits at the intersection of reliability, speed, and global complexity. My journey to this role wasn’t linear. It started far from Silicon Valley, in an environment where access to technology and opportunity looked very different. That perspective continues to shape how I think about building—practical, resilient, and grounded in real-world impact. Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that consistently matter: • Scaling systems is often easier than scaling organizations • Data is more important than models when it comes to AI • Speed and clarity beat perfection in most real-world decisions I’m particularly interested in: • AI applied to real production systems (not just theory) • Large-scale distributed systems • Building high-ownership engineering cultures Outside of day-to-day work, I enjoy sharing lessons on scaling, leadership, and technology—especially the parts that don’t make it into headlines.