Akash Lal, 29, a researcher with the Microsoft Research Labs in Bangalore, has developed a software testing programme that is at least 30 times faster than the existing models.
In selecting Lal as one of the 18 Indian innovators, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s famous Technology Review thinks that his work has huge potential.
The problem that Lal tried to address in his research revolved around how software testing is yet to catch up with software development in terms of complexity and efficiency. While software is getting more and more complex, the systems used to test these modern software before they are deployed in mission critical environments, are not so modern.
Lal tells DNA that his software testing platform, called Poirot, is at a proof of concept stage and is being fine-tuned and scaled up currently. Edited excerpts:
Is this your first idea that clicked?
No, there were several iterations before I finally stumbled upon the idea.
In computer science research, the main medium of disseminating ideas is through peer-review conference publications. These conferences help us in evaluating our own research. I had several publications on early versions of the idea turned down, which would normally be a discouraging sign. However, we believed enough in our ideas and worked harder to make them more practical and useful. This finally led to my innovation, and it was received well by the research community.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on improving software quality via automated testing. Initial take, for which I got the award, is a bit theoretical. So I’m trying to make it more practical and robust as a product.
Given a choice, would you work as an individual with funding or as part of a research institution? Why?
Research institution, because my heart lies in conducting research on fundamental technology, and it is hard to do so without colleagues or a motivating research environment. When you are part of an organisation, you don’t have to worry about where the money comes from or the business potential of your research. You have the freedom to do what you really like doing and get paid for it at the end of the month.
For you, is innovation an end in itself or is it one of the means to be an entrepreneur eventually?
I would say neither. An innovation is a stepping stone for enabling something larger — perhaps another innovation — and not necessarily a start-up.
As a country, does India value and reward its innovators?
Yes, I think so. However, as a country there is a lot more we can do to encourage quality higher education institutions. We do have a few of those but for a country of India’s scale and size we need many more. Ideally, those should be established by the government with cooperation from the industry. Only when the qualified researchers have opportunities for them will we have an ecosystem that encourages innovation.
Has your innovation made material difference to your standard of lingvi?
No, it has not. Well, I work as part of a research organisation and so I am not looking to monetise or make an enterprise around my idea.
Who have been your biggest influences and why?
The biggest influence in my work has been my PhD thesis advisor, Prof Thomas Reps. He helped me shape my thesis and guided me towards picking the right problems, which eventually led towards the innovation.
What has been your biggest mistake?
None significant, but I should have spent more time talking about my ideas, and motivating others to extend my work in new and interesting directions.
If you could go back and change one thing about your life as an innovator, what would it be?
Nothing. All the setbacks have been crucial in keeping me motivated towards my goal.
Did you have a childhood dream?
Nothing about computer science or software. I used to have this vague idea of wanting to become a scientist but never really worked consciously towards that.
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