Introduction
I am Saurav Singla, Head of Data Science and Market Innovation at the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). I am nominating myself for the Python Software Foundation Board because I would like to contribute my experience in technology leadership, education, research, community development, and responsible adoption of Python at scale.
Python has played a central role throughout my professional journey—as a platform for learning, teaching, research, open-source collaboration, data science, artificial intelligence, and the development of systems used in complex enterprise environments.
Experience I would bring
I lead data-science and AI initiatives in India’s digital-payments ecosystem, working across areas such as fraud intelligence, graph analytics, machine learning, scalable AI systems, and responsible technology governance.
My broader contributions include:
- Authoring Machine Learning for Finance
- Teaching and mentoring thousands of learners in Python, data science, and machine learning
- Publishing applied research in artificial intelligence, graph learning, fraud detection, and digital payments
- Contributing to open-source projects and technical discussions
- Building collaborations between industry, researchers, educational institutions, and technology communities
- Evaluating technology initiatives and supporting the development of emerging professionals
These experiences have taught me how to work across technical and non-technical stakeholders, assess long-term technology investments, build consensus, and balance innovation with security, sustainability, inclusion, and accountability.
Priorities as a Board member
If elected, I would focus on the following areas.
1. Expanding Python participation globally
Python’s growth increasingly comes from regions with large populations of students, developers, researchers, startups, and first-generation technology professionals. I would support stronger outreach across India, Asia, Africa, and other underrepresented regions through local communities, educational institutions, translations, mentorship, and sustainable regional programmes.
2. Supporting education and career development
Python often provides a person’s first entry into programming, data science, automation, and artificial intelligence. I would support initiatives that make high-quality Python education accessible to students, teachers, working professionals, and communities with limited resources.
I would also encourage stronger pathways from learning Python to contributing to open source, participating in local communities, and developing long-term careers.
3. Strengthening the relationship with enterprise users
Many organisations depend heavily on Python but remain disconnected from the volunteer communities and maintainers who sustain its ecosystem. I would work to create stronger engagement between the PSF, maintainers, research institutions, startups, and enterprises.
This should include encouraging organisations that benefit from Python to contribute through funding, engineering time, community participation, and responsible open-source practices.
4. Sustainable support for maintainers and communities
Python’s success depends on volunteers, maintainers, event organisers, working groups, educators, and community leaders. I would support transparent and sustainable mechanisms for grants, sponsorship, contributor support, community infrastructure, and recognition.
I would particularly advocate for contributors from regions where financial, institutional, or travel constraints make participation difficult.
5. Responsible AI and data-science engagement
Python is one of the most important ecosystems for artificial intelligence and data science. The PSF should remain focused on its core mission while engaging thoughtfully with the opportunities and challenges created by these fields.
I would support community discussions around responsible AI, software security, reproducibility, open-source sustainability, education, and the needs of developers building real-world systems with Python.
6. Transparent and inclusive governance
The Board must listen to the community, make responsible financial and strategic decisions, and clearly communicate how decisions support the PSF’s mission.
I would approach Board service with openness, respectful collaboration, evidence-based decision-making, and a willingness to listen and learn. I would represent the wider Python community rather than the interests of any individual employer, project, region, or technology area.
Commitment
I understand that Board membership is an active governance responsibility rather than an honorary position. It requires preparation for meetings, committee participation, community engagement, careful review of organisational matters, and consistent follow-through.
If elected, I am prepared to dedicate the necessary time, collaborate constructively with fellow directors and PSF staff, and remain accountable to the Python community.
My goal would be to help the PSF broaden global participation, strengthen its educational and community impact, build sustainable relationships with organisations that depend on Python, and ensure that Python continues to be an accessible, inclusive, and trusted platform for people around the world.
Affiliations
- National Payments Corporation of India
- Python Software Foundation member
- Author of Machine Learning for Finance
- AI and data-science researcher, educator, mentor, and open-source contributor
My candidacy is personal. My views and Board participation would not represent my employer.