Tilak Nakarmi is an experienced technology leader, currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Otermans Institute. With over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, Tilak has carved out a significant role for himself, leading his company’s technological efforts, building high-performing teams, and driving innovation. Tilak’s journey into the tech world began in 2009 when he started as a junior Java developer. Like many in the field, he learned the ropes by working on various technical projects, building the foundational skills necessary for any developer. His early years provided him with the technical proficiency required to excel in the evolving field of software development.
Over time, Tilak steadily climbed the professional ladder, taking on roles such as Team Lead, System Architect, Solution Architect, and eventually Technical Lead. These roles not only deepened his understanding of technology but also gave him his first taste of leadership. By leading teams and overseeing system architecture, Tilak gained a broader understanding of how technology intersects with business strategy, which ultimately led him to his current position as CTO in 2024. As the CTO at Otermans Institute, Tilak’s responsibilities are broad and complex. His primary focus is on building and maintaining the company’s technology roadmap. This involves constant requirement analysis, understanding the needs of the business, and translating those needs into a functional and efficient technology strategy. He leads the technology team, ensuring that each member is motivated, mentored, and aligned with the company’s goals.
Product design and development are two major areas where Tilak’s expertise comes into play. He oversees the entire lifecycle of the company’s AI-powered educational products, from initial concept design through to final delivery. Ensuring that the products are both high-quality and secure is a critical aspect of his job. In today’s technology landscape, where cybersecurity threats are ever-present, Tilak places a strong emphasis on security and risk mitigation, ensuring that Otermans Institute’s infrastructure is resilient and secure against potential threats. Additionally, Tilak handles budget management and conducts thorough cost-benefit analyses to evaluate the value of new technologies or projects. This is a key aspect of his role, as it ensures that the company’s resources are being used effectively and that technological investments provide tangible benefits to the business.
Tilak’s path to becoming a CTO was fueled by his passion for technology and leadership. From his early days as a Java developer, he quickly realized that he was drawn to roles that involved greater responsibility and influence. He wasn’t content with just focusing on the technical aspects of projects—he wanted to play a role in shaping the broader strategic direction of the company. In his leadership roles, Tilak discovered a passion for aligning technology with business goals. He believes that technology should always serve the business, not the other way around. By ensuring that technological initiatives are closely aligned with the company’s strategic objectives, he has been able to drive innovation while also contributing to business growth.
In today’s fast-evolving technological landscape, Tilak believes that certain key qualities are essential for a successful CTO. First and foremost, innovative thinking is crucial. A CTO must always be open to new technologies and be willing to embrace change. In addition to innovation, strong leadership skills are critical for building and nurturing high-performing teams. A CTO must be able to guide their team through challenges while fostering an environment of continuous learning and improvement. Another essential quality is the ability to align technological efforts with business goals. Technical proficiency is important, but it must be balanced with a clear understanding of the company’s objectives. This strategic alignment ensures that technological investments provide real value to the organization. Problem-solving skills are another must-have for any CTO. The tech industry is full of complex challenges, and a successful CTO must be able to tackle these challenges head-on. Finally, clear communication is key. A CTO must be able to translate complex technical concepts into language that all stakeholders can understand.
One of the challenges any technology leader faces is staying updated on the latest advancements in the industry. Tilak addresses this challenge by building a strong network of other technology professionals. He actively participates in conferences, meetups, and professional organizations, where he connects with other leaders and shares ideas. These interactions provide him with invaluable insights into emerging technologies and best practices, which he can then apply at Otermans Institute. Additionally, Tilak frequently attends industry conferences and meetups to stay informed about the latest trends. These events offer him the opportunity to see how other companies are tackling similar challenges and how they are incorporating new technologies into their operations.
One of the most challenging technical problems Tilak has faced in his role involved the development of Otermans Institute’s first AI-powered teacher avatars. The goal was to create AI avatars that could deliver personalized and interactive lessons, mimicking human-like teaching. The challenge lay in ensuring that the AI could respond to a wide range of learner queries in real-time while maintaining a natural and engaging interaction. To overcome this challenge, Tilak’s team focused on improving natural language processing (NLP) algorithms to make the AI more context-aware and improve conversational flow. They also worked on enhancing the avatar’s visual and auditory elements to make interactions feel more lifelike. After several months of rigorous testing and iteration, they successfully created an AI teacher that met their high standards, capable of handling complex queries and providing personalized feedback.
Innovation is at the heart of Tilak’s leadership style. He fosters innovation by creating an environment where team members are encouraged to experiment and take risks. He believes that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and that developers should be encouraged to push boundaries even when they stumble. By providing mentorship and opportunities for learning, he keeps the team engaged and excited about their work. In addition to mentorship, Tilak also promotes cooperation within the team. He uses project management tools like JIRA to stay updated on team tasks and ensure smooth collaboration. This focus on cooperation allows the team to work together efficiently, driving progress and innovation.
One of the key responsibilities of a CTO is balancing the introduction of new technologies with the maintenance of existing systems. At Otermans Institute, Tilak follows a structured process for implementing new technologies. Any new technology first goes through the research and development department, where it is thoroughly researched and tested. Only after this multi-stage testing process is completed does the technology move into the development phase. After rigorous quality assurance, the latest patch is deployed into the existing system. Additionally, Tilak utilizes a microservice architecture, which ensures that if an issue arises in one component, it won’t affect the entire system. This approach allows the team to isolate and fix specific components without disrupting the overall system.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of technology, particularly in the field of education. Tilak believes that AI has the potential to revolutionize education by automating tasks that typically require multiple people. AI systems can be trained to handle a variety of tasks, providing personalized learning experiences that enhance the educational process. At Otermans Institute, AI-powered avatars are already being used to deliver lessons in a way that feels remarkably human. These AI teachers provide personalized feedback and engage learners in interactive lessons. As AI technology continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly play an even larger role in shaping the future of education.
In today’s tech landscape, security is a top priority for any company, and Otermans Institute is no exception. Tilak takes a proactive approach to security, conducting regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities. The company also invests in the latest security technologies, such as firewalls, encryption, and secure access protocols. However, technology alone isn’t enough to ensure security. Tilak also emphasizes the importance of education and training for all staff members. Regular training sessions help the team stay informed about the latest security practices and potential threats, ensuring that everyone is equipped to recognize and respond to security issues.
Tilak Nakarmi’s leadership as CTO at Otermans Institute is a testament to his deep understanding of both technology and business strategy. His passion for innovation, combined with his commitment to building strong teams and maintaining secure and efficient systems, has made him an invaluable asset to the company. As technology continues to evolve, Tilak’s forward-thinking approach will undoubtedly keep Otermans Institute at the forefront of the industry.
