Curious minds building smarter machines
Curiosity, co-op and a willingness to ask questions helped Krithika Kannan turn automation work into a passion for building impactful AI solutions.
Krithika Kannan, a second-year Computer Science student, let co-op experiences introduce her to the growing intersection of automation and artificial intelligence (AI). Through two work terms at RBC, she developed technical skills, gained confidence in seeking feedback and discovered a passion for building AI-driven solutions.
Krithika's co-op journey
Automation Analyst, RBC, Toronto, ON
Through her eight-month work term at RBC, Krithika worked as an Automation Analyst where she built automated workflows and explored robotic process automation (RPA) tools to improve efficiency across business processes. As she gained more experience, she became increasingly interested in how artificial intelligence could be integrated into existing workflows to reduce manual work and create smarter solutions. Her work ultimately led her to develop AI-powered tools and sparked a passion for pursuing a future in the field.
Q&A with Krithika
What first got you interested in artificial intelligence and software engineering?
“My major initially introduced me to the field, but it was my co-op experience that really sparked my interest in artificial intelligence.”
“At RBC, I worked as an automation developer where I was exposed to different automation tools and workflows. As I learned more about these processes, I became interested in how artificial intelligence could be used to make them more efficient and reduce the amount of manual work involved.”
“That experience motivated me to continue exploring AI both during my co-op and in my future career. It’s a field that is constantly evolving, which makes it exciting to learn about and contribute to.”
Was there a moment when you realized this was the field you wanted to pursue?
“Definitely.”
“During my most recent co-op term, I was given a project where my goal was to reduce the amount of time a bot needed to complete a specific task.”
“After exploring different solutions, I felt that the best approach would be to incorporate an AI agent into the process. It gave me the opportunity to think beyond the original requirements and explore how emerging technologies could improve an existing workflow.”
“I built the AI agent and was able to significantly improve the workflow by reducing both the time and effort required to complete the task."
"Seeing the impact of that solution made me realize how much potential artificial intelligence has to improve everyday processes.”
“That was the moment I knew this was the field I wanted to pursue. It reinforced how much I enjoy solving complex problems and showed me that AI can create meaningful improvements for organizations and the people who use these systems every day.”
What has been the most rewarding thing about your co-op experience?
“The most rewarding part of co-op has been learning how to accept feedback and use it to grow.”
“When I first started my co-op, I was hesitant to ask questions, reach out to people or seek advice. Whether it was setting up a coffee chat or asking for help on a project, I often felt nervous about putting myself out there.”
“As I became more comfortable in the workplace, I realized that feedback is one of the most valuable tools for growth. Being open to feedback helped me improve the way I approached problems, collaborate more effectively with others and develop greater confidence in my work.”
“Looking back, one of the biggest lessons I learned is that growth comes from being willing to ask questions and learn from the people around you. That mindset helped me become not only a stronger contributor, but also a better version of myself overall.”
What advice would you give students hoping to break into AI or cloud engineering?
“One piece of advice I would give is to build a strong foundation and understand the basics. Taking the time to learn core concepts will make it much easier to adapt and grow once you're in the role.”
“I would also encourage students not to limit themselves by avoiding opportunities that seem unfamiliar"
"When I applied for my automation developer role, I didn't know much about the field, but I was willing to learn and develop those skills along the way.”
“Whenever you encounter something new or interesting, take that first step. Don't just focus on completing the task you've been assigned. Think about how you can improve it, make it more efficient or approach it differently.”
“Most importantly, never be afraid to ask questions. Staying curious and continuing to learn is one of the best ways to grow throughout your career.”
How would you explain the AI tools you've worked on to someone outside of tech?
“One project I worked on involved creating a tool that could help match and validate information across large datasets.”
“Organizations often work with information that comes from different sources and is organized in different ways. Traditionally, reviewing and matching that information can take a significant amount of time.”
“To help solve that problem, we developed an AI-powered system that could identify similarities between fields, validate information and improve the accuracy of the process. By reducing the amount of manual work involved, the tool helped complete tasks more efficiently while maintaining quality.”
If you had to describe the co-op experience using only one word, what would it be?
“Rewarding.”
“Co-op helped me grow both professionally and personally."
"I learned new technical skills, gained experience with new software and programming languages and developed a stronger approach to problem solving.”
“More importantly, co-op allowed me to become more and more confident in my ability to learn, adapt and contribute in a professional environment."
"Looking back, I can see how much I've evolved since starting my first work term, and I'm excited to continue building on that growth throughout my career.”
What’s next for you?
“In my previous co-op terms, a lot of my work focused on backend processes where I wasn't always able to see how the final product was being used.”
“Moving forward, I'm interested in opportunities where I can be more involved in deploying solutions and seeing the direct impact of my work. I'm also interested in exploring consulting-style roles that involve more collaboration and communication with clients.”
“Right now, I'm looking for opportunities that allow me to continue building my technical skills while also developing stronger communication and problem-solving abilities. I'm excited to keep exploring different areas of technology and finding where I can make the biggest impact.”