Sowmiya Selvakumaraswamy is an award-winning emerging tech specialist at NCS Australia. Early in 2025, Sowmiya was recognised as the winner of the Rising Star category at the Women Leading Tech Awards, which celebrate the women who drive innovation, create change, smash glass ceilings and forge bold new paths for everyone to follow.  

While she’s still earlier in her career, Sowmiya has already notched up impressive achievements. She’s led the development of cutting-edge AI and AR/VR solutions, including a Metaverse Solution for NTUC, Singapore, which she presented to the nation’s Prime Minister; and combines an innate ability to push the boundaries of AI, VR and ethical innovation while finding time to champion diversity, inclusion and accessibility in technology too.  

So, what drives her at work as she pushes the limits of innovation and tech? She shares more in this career profile.
 

What or who inspired you to pursue a career in tech?

To me, tech has always been the closest thing to magic. I was fascinated by it from childhood, so I don’t think I ever decided to pursue tech - I just never let go of my love for it, even as society tried to discourage me. And it’s not just me - I’ve never seen a child dislike science or technology. But as they grow, especially girls, they are often discouraged from following that passion. People told me the same, but I’m so glad I didn’t listen.
 

What challenges have you faced and overcome?

I had a tough time in school. The traditional education system just didn’t work for me. In fact, I even failed computer science in high school. But the joy that coding, science, and technology brought me was so immense that, despite discouragement from friends and family, I kept returning to tech. While I struggled academically, I thrived at solving real-world problems once I started working. No matter where life took me, I always felt drawn back to tech - nothing else gave me the same excitement. Cliché as it sounds, I’m glad I followed my heart, even when it logically didn’t make sense why someone who struggled in school would pursue a career in tech.
 

What has been your most exciting career project? 

The AR project I built to manage transportation disruption was incredibly rewarding. It wasn’t just a gimmick or marketing tool; it actually solved a significant problem. The idea was that, during a transportation disruption, instead of relying on physical signage, which becomes difficult to manage during large-scale disruptions, we developed an app that displayed AR signs based on your location and redirected you to your destination. 

The best part came when one of the people managing the disruption was so excited about the app that he immediately called his coworkers to show them. His curiosity was so strong, he even asked about the company behind the app and wanted to learn more. For me as a developer, that’s the dream - creating a product so good that it doesn’t need marketing or promotion. Seeing the joy on the user’s face truly made my day, and honestly, my year. 
 

What motivates you at work?

It’s that magical feeling when you code! Being able to create something from just a single line of code feels like casting a spell. Especially when I’m making VR apps, I can literally build a whole world from just a few lines of code. What could be more fun than that? For me, joy is the ultimate motivation in any work. When you're enjoying what you do, you never need external motivation. What drives me is the immense joy coding brings and the endless possibilities it unlocks. The excitement of bringing ideas to life and solving problems keeps me inspired every day.
 

What is your advice for women wanting to pursue a career in tech?  

To the women wanting to pursue a career in tech - first of all, thank you. You have no idea how much of an impact you’re about to make. The industry needs your perspective and talent more than ever. As Maya Angelou beautifully put it, "Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women." Your presence in tech isn't just for your own growth; it's for all women, as your contributions will help shape the future, especially in the evolving world of AI.