Meet The Team
The Frugal AI Hub was founded to respond to the growing need for resource-efficient, inclusive, and sustainable AI. We bring together thought leaders, practitioners, and partners who believe AI can — and should — be designed to do more with less.
From our base at Cambridge Judge Business School, we collaborate globally to translate this vision into practice — through research, tools, events, and adoption labs across sectors and regions.
Venkata “Serish” Gandikota
Co-Lead, Frugal AI Hub
Visiting Fellow, Cambridge Judge Business School
Serish is an innovation strategist, impact & climate fund adviser, entrepreneur, and researcher focused on frugal innovation, sustainability, and impact investing. He has delivered EU-funded projects and founded InnoFrugal to advance accessible innovation globally.
Elizabeth Osta
Co-Lead, Frugal AI Hub
Visiting Fellow, Cambridge Judge Business School
Elizabeth is a digital and data strategist advising CXOs on AI, innovation, and responsible data use. Former Chief Data Officer at HEINEKEN, she also founded Digital Forward and holds leadership experience across banking, consumer goods, and social impact.
Prof Jaideep Prabhu
Cambridge Judge Business School
Jaideep is a leading global voice on frugal innovation. His research explores how businesses in emerging markets and beyond innovate efficiently under resource constraints. He recently authored “How Should a Government Be?”, and is the co-author of “Jugaad Innovation”, “Frugal Innovation”. Jaideep actively advises & mentors the Frugal AI Hub.
Dr Ronita Bardhan
Associate Professor of Sustainable Built Environment, University of Cambridge | Director – Cambridge Sustainable Design Group
Ronita uses data-driven computational methods to design built environment strategies aimed at precision prevention of health and energy burdens in a warming climate. Her work informs the health co-benefits of built environment–led climate mitigation and adaptation interventions. Ronita is an Advisor to the Frugal AI Hub.
Dr Maya Indira Ganesh
Associate Director (Research Partnerships) and Senior Research Associate Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence
Maya’s work explores how people, places, and institutions shape and are shaped by emerging technologies. She investigates AI as a social and cultural force, drawing on feminist theory, STS, and critical digital studies. Her research spans autonomous systems, AI in public spaces, and ethics, grounded in activist and policy experience. Maya is an Advisor to the Frugal AI Hub.
Dr Ramit Debnath
Assistant Professor, University of Cambridge
Ramit is an Assistant Professor at Cambridge, leading the Collective Intelligence & Design group and climaTRACES lab. His work bridges AI, systems thinking, and policy to tackle climate and sustainability challenges. His research explores how human behaviour and AI can jointly drive scalable climate solutions. He is affiliated with Caltech, Churchill College, Cambridge Zero, and multiple Cambridge research centres on AI and climate. Ramit is a Collaborator with the Frugal AI Hub.