Vivek PrakriyaHis academic research has explored the intersection of machine learning and quantum field theory, including work that used AI to identify subatomic particles.
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Originally from Redmond, Washington, Prakriya is looking for a place on the City Council in his hometown east of Seattle, hoping to leverage his tech skills to solve problems in infrastructure, transportation and affordable housing.
At age 20, Prakriya would be among the youngest people to hold elected office in Washington state. But he is already accustomed to following this path – he entered the University of Washington after high school and, now in his fifth year, is studying computer science, mathematics and physics.
He was also the founding engineer of a startup called Data2 before interning last summer at Amazon, where he worked on agent AI workflows in the payments division.
“I have so many ideas for technologies that I want to bring to the city,” said Prakriya. “The government simply moves slower than startups.”
Prakriya is a product of Redmond Public Schools. In the city that is home to Microsoft, he still lives in the house his parents bought when they started at the company. Your father Mahesh I just retired after almost 29 years and his mother Tara, who started in 1997, is currently vice president of Microsoft’s Surface division.
Prakriya was hired by the city government last year when he became curious about what the council was doing and started attending meetings. He was so enchanted that he returned week after week and began reading city documents such as the budget and comprehensive plan.
He took a position with the City of Redmond’s Human Services Commission in April and has ideas for implementing artificial intelligence tools to improve processes, such as creating a chatbot where people can type in questions in their native language and get access to needed resources in that language.
Prakriya also believes the technology can be used to improve the city’s permitting process or to help Redmond achieve its housing goals. As a math-oriented person, he finds it difficult to make decisions without data.
“I want to be on the board to set that vision, to champion ideas like this,” he said. “That’s the main reason I’m running.”
Node August 5 primary electionsPrakriya won 49% of the vote for Council position No. 2. Steve Camposwho received 32% of the primary vote in the November 4th general election.
Prakriya has garnered support from several political veterans, including Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), former Washington Governor and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, Redmond City Council President Vanessa Kritzer, and a host of state senators and representatives.
Serving on the board is a part-time role, and Prakriya is certain she will pursue a full-time career in technology, perhaps at Amazon or the startup where she has experience. He is focused on winning the race ahead before discussing a future in politics.
When not working, school or campaigning, Prakriya is an avid skier who began the sport at age 2. He is a longtime Seattle Seahawks fan who attended their legendary playoff victory against the Green Bay Packers when he was 10 years old.
Asked how the city’s residents react when a fresh-faced kid knocks on their door to discuss his candidacy for City Council, Prakriya laughed.
“I grew a beard, so I look a little older,” he said.
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