Varun Bhartia.
AI Builder and Engineer.

Experience

1. 2024
   Present

   Group Product Manager — AI Foundations, Rank & Recommendations

   Instagram / Meta

   • Developed AI models that detect adverse actor actions and improve Trust & Safety across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
   • Launched a platform-wide PG-13 ranking model across Instagram; recognized by IG leadership for a smooth, complex launch.
   • Drove product strategy for AI-driven educational and reinforcing content — increasing valued watch time while reducing offensive exposure.
2. 2021
   2024

   Senior Product Manager — Advanced Creation / Generative AI

   YouTube / Google

   • Spearheaded a 0→1 launch of creation tools and effects on YouTube (e.g. Minecraft Gaming) — Gaming effects became the largest driver of new creators.
   • Built an experimentation framework and shipped 200+ effects, growing engagement and creations by 40% m/m.
   • Drove YouTube-wide integration of Generative AI (LLMs, Diffusion) into the core creation suite, defining the product and technical roadmap.
3. 2019
   2021

   Senior Product Manager — Kids & Youth

   YouTube / Google

   • Launched parents.youtube.com to make YouTube a fun and appealing destination for all ages.
   • Developed and scaled algorithmic guardrails, supervised experiences, and automated policy-enforcement models for younger audiences — improving retention by 27% and driving positive press cycles.
   • Addressed industry-wide concerns and regulations (e.g., YouTube Request for Information) with education, science-backed research, and product roadmap improvements.
   • YouTube North Star award, 15+ peer bonuses, Asians@ ERG Exec Lead.
4. 2017
   2019

   Founder / CEO

   BeeHyve

   • Founded and scaled a technical learning community to 10K+ users on a scalable, high-availability architecture.
   • Led development of recommendation algorithms to surface relevant CS content and recruited an engineering team from Tier-1 companies.
5. 2015
   2017

   Group Product Manager — Growth: International Rides & Eats

   Uber

   • Led international and commerce growth across Rides and Eats — drove transformative business growth (50% new trip drivers), managed a 5-person team, and earned promotion.
   • Uber Eats: led the launch of UberEats in 20+ new markets, architecting the integration of real-time routing and dispatch algorithms to optimize the three-sided marketplace (restaurant, courier, eater) for maximum efficiency and reduced latency.
   • Uber Rides: scaled international driver growth with predictive supply-demand models and automated fleet management tools (Uber Fleet); leveraged geospatial data and ML-driven pricing signals to lift driver hours by 40% in high-growth markets like India and LATAM.
6. 2014
   2015

   Product Manager Lead — Developer APIs

   Facebook

   • Defined strategy for Facebook Developer Products / Social Plugins — Facebook Video for Websites, Like Button, Share, and Comments on websites and within apps. Awarded 3 patents. Talk at F8 2015.
   • Managed a 4-person PM and design team — including junior PMs and interns; served on the Rotational Product Manager hiring committee.
   • Received the "Wow, I didn't know that was possible" award for work on Embedded Post / Celebrity content; press coverage in TechCrunch on new Social Plugins.
7. 2008
   2012

   Senior Program Manager — Graphics & Startup Business Group

   Microsoft

   • Launched Direct2D — Windows' first hardware-accelerated graphics API — used as a foundation for Microsoft core apps including IE and Office.
   • Launched Microsoft's first apps for iPhone and Android — over 1M downloads and 1.2M monthly active users.
   • Microsoft High Potential program; recognized as a high performer for an accelerated career path and promoted twice.