PlayStation, Parkinson’s and AI
Penporn Koanantakool came to the U.S. on a Fulbright Scholarship to earn her PhD at U.C. Berkeley, and now she’s pursuing her dream of using AI for good
In the fast-paced world of technology, where innovation is constant and challenges abound, Penporn Koanantakool’s story shines brightly. Today, let’s dive into the inspiring journey of Penporn, a software engineer at Google working on the behind-the-scenes magic that helps AI programs run faster and more efficiently. Her path from Thailand to Silicon Valley is a tale of the power of mentorship, perseverance, and the courage to embrace the unknown.
The Spark of Curiosity
Penporn's journey into the world of coding began with a simple invitation from a high school friend. What she thought would be a fun adventure in game development turned out to be a life-changing experience.
This unexpected foray into programming led her to compete in Thailand's national coding competition, where she placed in the top 25. This achievement opened doors for her, including admission to a top university in Thailand, and the spark of curiosity ignited in high school would continue to guide Penporn's path, leading her to explore new challenges and opportunities that would shape her future.
“I thought, oh, coding, it would be fun. We would get to make some games and have fun. It wasn’t about writing games at all, but I enjoyed it anyway.”
A Born Leader
Penporn’s leadership journey began in high school when she played a key role in organizing a creativity camp for middle schoolers, a project that would leave a lasting impact on her life. Inspired by a senior, she and her peers took on the challenge of creating and running a five-day camp, handling everything from budgeting to designing the activities. What made the camp unique was its focus on hands-on, collaborative problem-solving tasks, like building catapults and simulating real-life quests.
This experience not only showcased Penporn’s ability to lead but also taught her invaluable life skills, such as teamwork, strategic thinking, and creativity. The camp’s success even won a national business planning award and eventually evolved into a startup that continues to inspire young minds to this day. For Penporn, this camp was a pivotal moment in realizing the power of working together and the endless possibilities of innovation.
Crossing Oceans and Overcoming Barriers
Moving from Thailand to the United States on a Fulbright scholarship for her PhD at UC Berkeley was a big step for Penporn, and the transition came with its own set of challenges, particularly in terms of language barriers. During our conversation, she revealed the frustration and isolation she initially experienced. Yet, Penporn didn't let these obstacles deter her. With the support of friendly colleagues and by taking on responsibilities like coordinating networking lunches, she gradually overcame these difficulties and went on to earn her PhD.
“Sometimes I didn’t even catch what they were talking about. And when I did catch it, I would need to take some time to think about what I wanted to say and then try to translate it into English. By the time I was ready to say what I wanted to say, the conversation had already moved to something else.”
The Power of Mentorship
Throughout her journey, Penporn has been fortunate to have numerous mentors and inspirations. From her fifth-grade math teacher who encouraged her to compete in mathematics to university professors who guided her academic path, these individuals played crucial roles in shaping her career. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mentorship in nurturing talent and building confidence, especially for women in male-dominated fields like technology.
Navigating the World of AI
Now at Google, Penporn works on AI infrastructure, a field that fascinates her not just for its technical challenges but also for its potential to make a difference in people's lives. Her aunt's struggle with Parkinson's disease inspired her to consider how AI could help improve communication for those with similar conditions.
However, Penporn is also acutely aware of the challenges and responsibilities that come with developing AI technologies, touching on the critical issues of fairness and bias in AI. Her insights into the possibilities and pitfalls of AI reveal a deep understanding of the field and a commitment to responsible development of these powerful technologies.
“There’s a saying, you are what you eat, right? So, if you eat good and healthy food, then you will have a healthy body. Similarly, AI models are trained on a massive amount of data gathered from the Internet. So the quality of the AI also depends on the quality of the data.”
Redefining Success
As Penporn reflects on her journey and current position, her definition of success is both simple and profound. "Right now, for me, success means being happy with where I am and also with what's to come, what I, that I see is coming. So as long as I'm content and happy, I think that's a success for me," she shares.
This perspective on success, focused on contentment and personal fulfillment rather than external achievements, offers a refreshing counterpoint to the often intense and competitive atmosphere of the tech industry. Penporn's story reminds us that true success is deeply personal and that finding joy in one's work and life is an achievement worth celebrating.
Penporn's journey from a curious high school student in Thailand to a software engineer at Google is a powerful reminder of the impact of mentorship, the importance of perseverance, and the value of maintaining a personal definition of success.
You can connect with Penporn on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
I hope Penporn's story inspires you to reflect on your own journey, the mentors who have shaped your path, and the challenges you've overcome. I encourage you to share your own stories of perseverance, discovery, and success. By sharing our experiences, we can light the way for others, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment in the world of technology and beyond.
