Name: Tushar Dogra | Designation: Engineering Manager | Company: Google | Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA
(September 10, 2024) An excellent student all his life who won many scholarships and accolades, Tushar Dogra has managed to ensure that the commitment and discipline that made him a brilliant student never wavered and translated to his career as well.
Today, while he works with one of the biggest companies in the world and with technology that is changing the world we know, he remains grounded in his values and continues to approach each challenge with the same dedication and curiosity that propelled him to success in his early years.
Tushar’s journey began in the vibrant city of Chandigarh, India, where he was surrounded by a nurturing and supportive family. Reflecting on his upbringing, he shares, “My early years were filled with encouragement and support, which laid the groundwork for my academic and personal growth.”
Tushar Dogra
His schooling was split between India and Australia, where his family moved during his middle school years. This international exposure was formative, especially when he achieved the remarkable feats of being honoured as the “DUX of the School” (Valedictorian) in Australia and standing in the top 1% in the Maths and Science Olympiads.
Tushar recalls, “That experience ignited my passion for learning, a passion I carried back to India for my high school years.” It also made him a Global Indian at a very early age!
A scholarly path
Tushar’s academic journey is full of academic achievements. Scoring an impressive 98.2% in the 10th-grade CBSE exams, he ranked third nationally and first in Haryana. His academic excellence continued in the 12th grade, where he scored 96.2%, topping the city of Chandigarh.
“Achieving top ranks was never just about grades,” Tushar reflects. “It was about pushing myself to realise my full potential.” These accomplishments motivated him to aim for the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), where he secured an All India Rank of 104, earning a place in the Computer Science and Engineering program at IIT Delhi.
The IIT experience
At IIT Delhi, Tushar’s journey took a transformative turn. The rigorous academic environment, coupled with exposure to the latest in technology, solidified his foundation in computer science. “IIT Delhi wasn’t just about academics; it was about learning to approach challenges with a mindset of excellence,” says Tushar.
This preparation was crucial as he transitioned to his professional career, where he would thrive in dynamic, team-oriented settings like Google, solving real-world problems on a global scale.
From IIT Delhi to Silicon Valley
Tushar’s career path led him to the United States, where he began his professional journey in the Bay Area. After securing a position at Oracle during his final year at IIT, he moved to San Francisco in 2014. The transition was relatively smooth for Tushar, thanks to his earlier experience in Australia, which made adapting to a new culture and work environment easier. “The Bay Area’s innovation-driven ecosystem felt like a natural fit,” Tushar explains. “It was the perfect place to dive into the fast-paced world of technology.”
Making an Impact
Today, the 31-year-old works as an engineering manager at Google, where he leads a team focused on ad safety. His work involves safeguarding billions of users from harmful content and ensuring the integrity of the global ad ecosystem. “Our mission is to protect users worldwide from harmful ads,” he emphasizes, “and to maintain the trust that underpins the Internet economy.”
Tushar’s team leverages advanced AI and machine learning models to scale content moderation and enforce policies across Google’s expansive advertising landscape. Their efforts are critical in maintaining trust in Google Ads, which is a cornerstone of the Internet economy.
In 2023 alone, Tushar’s team removed over 5 billion ads for policy violations, restricted 6.9 billion ads in sensitive areas, and suspended more than 12 million advertiser accounts. “The scale of the work we do is immense, but it’s essential for preserving the integrity of the online space,” he notes.
From developing real-time systems to deploying state-of-the-art multi-modal models, Tushar’s contributions have been instrumental in enhancing the safety and reliability of online advertising.
One of the most significant challenges his team faced was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they had to swiftly address the surge in misinformation and fraudulent ads. Tushar’s leadership in rapidly deploying classifiers to distinguish between legitimate advertisers and bad actors played a crucial role in protecting users and preserving the platform’s integrity. He adds, “The pandemic was a test of our agility and commitment to user safety. It was a challenge we were ready to meet.”
The team is also at the forefront of ensuring compliance with global regulations, including the recent Digital Services Act (DSA) in the European Union. Furthermore, as Generative AI has gained prominence, his team introduced novel techniques to efficiently scale Large Language Models (LLMs) for policy classification, doubling the detection of harmful ads while reducing operational costs. “AI is evolving rapidly,” he explains, “and we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve to protect our users.”
Work-life balance
Despite his academic focus, he made time for extracurricular activities during his school years. Whether it was playing cricket in Australia or participating in debating competitions in India, these activities helped him develop discipline and teamwork skills. “Extracurriculars were vital for my personal growth,” he says. “They provided a balance that enriched my overall experience.”
When he’s not immersed in his work at Google, Tushar enjoys traveling, exploring new cuisines, and keeping up with emerging technologies. Most importantly, he values the time spent with his family, which keeps him grounded and connected to what truly matters. “Family time is non-negotiable for me,” he shares. “It’s what keeps me balanced and motivated.”
His family is his greatest source of strength. Married to a fellow computer science major Aanchal and raising their young daughter, Hazel, adds a joyful dimension to their lives. He adds, “My family is my anchor. They are my constant source of inspiration.”
Looking ahead
As he looks to the future, Tushar remains focused on pushing the boundaries of AI and its application in keeping the internet safe. “The potential of AI is immense,” he notes, “and I’m excited to be at the forefront of this technological revolution.”
Personally, he is excited to continue watching his daughter grow and pursuing his passions outside of work. The journey continues, with Tushar learning each day and making his mark in the ever-evolving world of technology.
Advice to aspiring students moving to the US
- The landscape is rapidly changing, especially with advancements in AI and emerging technologies. Equip yourself with skills in AI, machine learning, and data science—these areas will shape the future.
- Build meaningful connections and seek out mentors.
- Lastly, maintain a growth mind set, embrace it as part of the process, and stay resilient. Opportunities are abundant for those who can evolve with the times.
- Follow him on LinkedIn