Although not first on the list when you think of AI innovation, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is emerging as a dynamic hub in the AI revolution, brimming with innovative companies and individuals spearheading the regional charge in developing new applications that are reshaping industries and societies.
From cutting-edge algorithms to revolutionary applications, the contributions of MEA's visionary leaders in AI are increasingly coming to the forefront. These individuals are pioneering AI possibilities across various sectors to tackle issues specific to the region, like tackling critical issues such as water scarcity, oil and gas optimisation, and Arabic language processing. By leveraging local talent and resources, these leaders are setting new standards for innovation that cater to the unique needs of the region.
In recognition of their contributions, AI Magazine highlights 10 exceptional leaders in the MEA who are making significant strides in the field of AI.
10. Dr. Hani Altwaijry
Role: Former Senior Computer Vision/Machine Learning Engineer at Apple
Location: Saudi Arabia
Hani Altwaijry is a distinguished researcher in the field of computer vision, AI, and machine learning. Previously =a Senior Computer Vision/Machine Learning Engineer at Apple, he has made significant contributions to the development of deep learning architectures for image processing and analysis.
Hani's academic journey includes his role as a graduate student in the Department of Computer Science at Cornell University, where he focused on advancing computer vision technologies. His research has been widely recognised, and he has worked on projects like recognising locations with Google Glass and developing methods for ultra-wide baseline aerial imagery matching in urban environments.
9. Salem Alelyani
Role: AI & Innovation General Manager at TAHAKOM
Location: Saudi Arabia
Salem Alelyani is a distinguished figure in the field of artificial intelligence, with extensive experience spanning academia and industry. Currently, he serves as the AI & Innovation General Manager at TAHAKOM, a leading consultancy firm, where he leverages his expertise to drive innovation and AI implementation across various sectors. This role marks a significant progression in his career, building upon his academic foundations and research contributions.
Prior to his position at TAHAKOM, Salem held the role of Associate Professor at King Khalid University, where he conducted research and taught courses in AI, machine learning, and data science. His academic background includes a PhD in Computer Science from Arizona State University, specialising in data mining and machine learning.
8. Omar Sultan Al Olama
Role: Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications at Government of the UAE
Location: UAE
Omar Sultan Al Olama serves as UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications since 2017. He has been recognised on TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence and plays a major role in accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies nationwide, contributing significantly to UAE’s digital economy and to the global discourse of AI with his advisory position for the World Economic Forum.
Under Omar's leadership, several initiatives have been launched to foster growth within the burgeoning sector, including establishing national programmes promoting cutting-edge technologies across various domains critical for future prosperity.
7. Tejas Mehta
Role: Senior Vice President & General Manager at Qlik
Location: UAE
Tejas Mehta has recently been appointed as the Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) at Qlik, a leader in data integration, analytics, and AI.
His expertise in translating technical solutions into business value aligns perfectly with Qlik's focus on providing high-quality, seamlessly integrated data and analytics solutions to help organisations harness the full potential of AI.
Prior to joining Qlik, Tejas held significant positions at major tech companies, including IBM. His experience spans various leadership roles, where he successfully led large, cross-functional teams across multiple regions, including the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
6.Manal Jalloul
Role: Founder at AI Lab
Location: Lebanon
Dr. Manal Jalloul is a prominent figure in the field of AI, renowned for her expertise as a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and educator. As a certified instructor and University ambassador for NVIDIA's Deep Learning Institute, Manal is at the forefront of efforts to democratise AI education across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Her commitment to advancing AI knowledge is further exemplified through her role as co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of AI-Lab, a consultancy and training company specialising in AI, Accelerated Computing, and Data Analytics.
Manal's influence extends beyond her entrepreneurial ventures. She serves as Lebanon's country advisor on the advisory board of the International Group of Artificial Intelligence (IGOAI), contributing to the development of fair global governance systems for AI.
5.Aseel Addawood
Role: AI and Data Analytics Advisor, Director of Emerging Technology Observersity at Ministry of Energy
Location: Saudi Arabia
Aseel Addawood is a multifaceted expert in artificial intelligence, data science, and social computing, with a particular focus on understanding human behaviour and attitudes in the digital sphere. She holds a PhD in Informatics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she also earned a Master's in Information Management.
Aseel's professional experience spans both academia and industry. She currently serves as the AI and Data Analytics Advisor and Director of Emerging Technology Observersity at the Ministry of Energy in Saudi Arabia, where she is responsible for building initiatives to support AI startups in the energy sector. Previously, she held positions at Oracle as a Senior Regional Consultant for Analytics, AI, and Data Science, and as a Senior Cloud Engineer.
4. Fatmah Baothman
Role: CEO AlOthaim R&D & AI Company
Location: Saudi Arabia
Fatmah Baothman is a trailblazer in AI, recognised as one of the first women from Saudi Arabia to earn a PhD in AI. She is currently the CEO of Alothaim Investment AI and R&D Company and an associate professor in AI. Fatmah has made significant contributions to machine learning and intelligent systems, focusing on technologies that enhance human-computer interaction.
Beyond academia, Fatmah advocates for women's empowerment in STEM fields and has founded several initiatives promoting female participation in technology across Saudi Arabia. Her efforts have inspired many young women to pursue careers in science and engineering.
3. Narrimane Benakcha
Role: Head of AI/ML & Digital Policy, MEW at AWS
Location: UAE
Narrimane Benakcha is the Head of Digital Policy for the Middle East and Africa at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape through her expertise in policy issues related to data protection, privacy standards, and the adoption of emerging technologies.
At AWS, Narrimane leads engagements with policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and academia to foster an environment conducive to technological advancement.
Before joining AWS, Narrimane built a robust career in the banking sector. She served as the Director for Public Affairs at Standard Chartered Bank in the Middle East and Africa and led HSBC Bank's compliance function in Dubai.
2. Richard Mathenge
Role: Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer at Techworker Community Africa
Location: Kenya
Richard Mathenge has become a vital advocate for AI workers' rights in Africa. His role in training OpenAI's ChatGPT involved filtering harmful content while working at Sama, an outsourcing company. Richard's commitment to improving conditions for AI moderators led him to co-found the African Content Moderators Union. In May 2023, he publicly advocated for better treatment of outsourced tech workers in Kenya by petitioning the Kenyan Parliament to scrutinise Big Tech's outsourcing practices.
Richard's advocacy highlights the human element behind AI development and underscores the importance of ethical labour practices within the tech industry. His efforts aim to establish a global standard for ethical treatment of AI workers, setting a precedent for future generations.
1. Nizar Habash
Role: Professor at New York University Abu Dhabi
Location: US
Nizar Habash is a authority in AI, particularly in natural language processing and computational linguistics. He serves as a Professor of Computer Science at NYU Abu Dhabi and directs the Computational Approaches to Modeling Language (CAMeL) Lab.
Nizar's academic journey includes degrees from Old Dominion University and the University of Maryland College Park, where he focused on computer engineering, linguistics, and computer science. His research has significantly advanced machine translation and morphological analysis, particularly for Arabic language processing, earning him over 150 publications and numerous accolades.
At the CAMeL Lab, Nizar has led efforts to improve the computational understanding of Arabic dialects, enhancing both academic research and practical AI applications. His work makes technology more accessible to Arabic speakers globally, underscoring his influence in both academic circles and real-world implementations.
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