As a Senior Director of Software Development at Audible, Deepti Kuntala leads our AI Engineering teams in ensuring that our customers easily find their next perfect listen, from the personalized recommendations they see when they open the Audible app to the results that come up when they use natural, everyday language to browse for the right content for that moment.

What’s life like at the hub you are aligned to?

I'm based in Newark, and with our team back in the office, I've been loving those random encounters you get just by being around people again. I make it a point to walk to different buildings for lunch because it's so easy to get buried in your desk all day. Those elevator conversations or quick chats while grabbing food often turn into the most interesting discussions. I am also global co-lead for our Women in Tech Impact Group, which has been a great way to connect with people across different teams. One thing I'm particularly proud of is this Women's History Month event we organized in collaboration with our Women@ Impact Group, where we set up a bazaar to support Newark women entrepreneurs. It felt good to give back to the community around us.

How does your job contribute to Audible’s mission to surprise and delight listeners around the world?

My job is about helping people discover their next great listen without having to dig through endless options. We use AI to understand what might click for someone based on their listening history, but also to make search feel more intuitive. When someone types, "something funny for my commute," we want to understand what exactly they're looking for. Everything we build has to work for listeners everywhere, which keeps us thinking broadly about how different people discover content.

What was your first Audible listen, and what inspired you to check it out?  

Born a Crime completely changed how I think about audiobooks. Trevor Noah's narration was incredible—hearing him tell his story in his own voice added layers you just can't get from text. I'd been a fan of his comedy, so when his book got all this attention, I figured I'd check it out. That experience made me realize that the narrator can completely make or break a listen for me. After that, I was hooked. Listening really did become my new reading.

Can you share any customer feedback that was meaningful to you?

A friend told me she'd stopped reading physical books to her son, who has dyslexia, because it was becoming frustrating for both of them. Instead, they started listening to audiobooks together, and suddenly he was excited about stories again. Hearing that reminded me why this work matters. It's easy to get caught up in metrics and features, but stories like that bring it back to the human impact. She also suggested we should have every book ever written on Audible, which made me laugh—if only it were that simple!

How do you draw inspiration from culture and technology?

Working with AI means you can't just talk about innovation; you have to stay hands on with what's actually happening in the field. I follow thought leaders, but I also make sure to do my own experimentation and research. It's not enough to just read about new developments; I need to understand them well enough to guide my teams effectively. I think the key is maintaining that balance between staying current and not chasing every shiny new thing that comes along.

Can you describe any community impact activities you’ve participated in? What do those experiences bring to you, personally?

I recently organized a tech session for “Take Your Kids to Work Day” that was honestly as much fun for me as it was for the kids. We taught them how to create superhero characters using AI, and by the end of the session, these characters could actually have conversations with each other. The energy in that room was infectious. Watching kids light up when they see their creations come to life—that's the kind of thing that reminds you technology can be so powerful when it's used thoughtfully.

What are the benefits you find invaluable for your personal well-being, or that help make both your work life and personal life more fulfilling?

I really take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program. While I'm constantly learning informally throughout the year, I usually plan to take a formal certification course around December when things quiet down a bit. I've done this every year since joining Audible, and it's been invaluable for keeping my skills current in such a fast-moving field. Having that financial support makes it much easier to invest in continued learning.

What’s one quality people interested in working on the AI Engineering team need to be successful here?

Stay curious. That might sound simple, but in AI right now, everything is changing so quickly that what you knew six months ago might already be outdated. People who get comfortable with the status quo are going to struggle. You need to be someone who genuinely enjoys learning new things and isn't intimidated by the pace of change.

What made you choose to work at Audible, what made you want to stay?

I genuinely love the product—that's what drew me in initially. But I've stayed because of the people and the culture. There's this authentic caring about both the work and each other that you don't always find. The leadership here actually walks the walk when it comes to values, which makes a huge difference in day-to-day work life. 

Lightning Round!

Favorite genre? Self-development / psychology.

Listening from a speaker or headphones? Speaker.

Favorite activity while listening? Driving.

Morning person or night owl? Whatever is needed. Prefer “Night Owl” though.

Favorite snack? Fruit.

What’s one of your favorite listens?

Lessons in Chemistry. There's something about Bonnie Garmus's storytelling that just hooks you, and the way it tackles themes around women in science really resonates with me. Plus, the narrator brings Elizabeth Zott to life in such a compelling way.

See open Technology roles at Audible