Jia Keatnuxsuo is a Data and AI Solution Architect at Microsoft, an endurance athlete, a tech community volunteer and advocate, Environmental Sustainability Educator, and UWA Graduate. 

The list of titles she embodies is more than a little intimidating, but she says it comes down to an ability we all have – to face our fears. 

Recounting how she set herself the goal of competing in a triathlon, despite being deathly afraid of water, Jia says, “I realised that if I keep putting in the hours, and keep getting in the ocean, I’ll begin to be less afraid – and that I can do it.” 

Image: Jia continues to compete in triathlons and endurance sports.

This attitude extends to all parts of Jia’s life – speaking at TEDx in Italy, starting her own business in technology adoption, working her way through internships and traineeships in foreign countries, studying overseas in France, and taking on a variety of roles, she has leaned into every opportunity. 

Taking on the next challenge, regardless of how daunting or out of her skillset it is, Jia trusts in her ability to learn, and considers it one of her superpowers.  

Likening it to gaining EXP (experience points) from a videogame, she says, “The harder the task, the more complicated or out of your comfort zone it is, the more EXP you’re getting!”  

Much of Jia’s tenacity for her endurance training and career is drawn from a personal journey, having been adopted by her Auntie and Uncle in Thailand. Feeling as if she was given a second chance, Jia says she realised, “The best thing I can do, to thank my Auntie and Uncle, is to do my best.” 

After reaching Australia, Jia says she decided she wanted to stay in Perth, as it had become her home. 

Undertaking two master's degrees at UWA, one in Information Technology and another in Commerce, Business Information and Logistic Management, Jia was granted her citizenship after seven years, which she received this year.  

Putting her degrees to good use, Jia began working at Microsoft as a Customer Success Account Manager and received an award for stepping up to replace another trainer, despite being in the role for only two weeks. 

Again embodying the tenacity to try, Jia gave it her all and quickly found herself moving into Associate Cloud Solution Architect, in which she began to utilize and familiarise with Microsoft Data and AI technologies. 

Now Azure-certified, having completed the many Microsoft in-house training programs, Jia says AI is on the brink of changing everything.

“AI is transforming the way we work, live and play. Truly augmenting ordinary people to become extraordinary,” 

Image: Jia also volunteers as a mentor with SheCodes Australia.

She likened it to the now massively popular Airbnb, which was once thought of as an impossibility. 

“Back in 2008, the idea of sharing our home or staying with strangers was so odd. Fast forward and Airbnb has become the norm; everyone uses it, and it is so familiar, yet we often don’t stop to think about how much of a change it was. AI, like the upcoming Microsoft Copilot, is going to be just like that.” 

The excitement also comes along with a warning:

“As users, we are trusting tech creators and developers to make sure AI is working the way we want. Our responsibility must be to keep policy in line, and in some ways, ahead of what our fears are.” she says. 

She also assures that even with the dawn of AI, there will never be a time in which the human touch is not appreciated. 

“I think as we begin to utilize AI more, we are going to crave that human element - something hand developed with heart and with effort. You can't replace that.”