Place of residence: Dubai

Position: Financial Coach/Investor

How many projects are you currently working on? Please describe them:

I am currently working on a project called myfinacademy. In My Fin Academy, people can find a constantly updated selection of content to help improve their financial education. Insights into financial events, technical analysis, real-world trading, and notions of financial education are all just a click away. It is a community of traders for traders where people can find all the know-how and experience of the mentors to give a boost to their investments and learn from the experience of the mentors and other members of the community. It is proven that if you have a better financial education, your life will benefit from it.

Please describe a day in your life:

Morning Routine: Gratitude and meditation, self-care

Studying new ideas and the financial markets

Preparing content for my students to spread knowledge of what I have learned in the morning

Sport swimming and gym

Trading Session in the Financial Markets

Social Life

I also travel a lot since I have a wonderful issue called wanderlust. I definitely want to explore new cultures and places.

In your opinion, who is the most influential person/company in the world of technology these days?

That’s a great question, and there’s no single definitive answer. Influence in tech can come from a variety of places. Here are a few strong contenders for the title of most influential: 

Large Tech Companies: Companies like Alphabet, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft hold immense sway over the tech landscape. Their innovations and decisions impact how billions of people use technology every day. Tech Leaders: Visionary CEOs like Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), and Sundar Pichai (Alphabet) shape the direction of their companies and inspire others in the industry. Emerging Technologies: Areas like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Quantum Computing are pioneered by researchers and companies that are fundamentally changing the world.

Also, Small companies can definitely become influential in the tech world. Here are a few examples of areas where small companies are making big waves:

Sustainable Technologies: Companies like Boston Metal are developing new ways to produce metals with a much lower environmental impact. This could revolutionise industries like construction and manufacturing.

AI for Social Good: BenevolentAI is a company using artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific research. Their goal is to find cures for diseases and develop new treatments. Cybersecurity: Small companies like Darktrace are developing innovative ways to protect businesses from cyberattacks. Darktrace uses AI to identify and respond to threats in real-time. These are just a few examples, and many other small companies are poised to make a big impact.

If you could pick one app/product/project existing now that you wish you were involved in, what would it be?

Being committed to the education industry, it would be interesting to be part of a project focusing on democratising knowledge access. Why? Importance of Knowledge: Knowledge is a powerful tool that can help people improve their lives, solve problems, and be more informed citizens. Accessibility Issues: Unfortunately, access to knowledge isn’t always equal. Language barriers, geographic location, and economic factors can all make it difficult for people to get the information they need. Potential of Technology: Technology has the potential to break down these barriers and make knowledge more accessible to everyone. This could involve projects like Improving machine translation to allow people to access information in different languages, developing educational resources tailored to various learning styles and needs, and creating platforms that make it easier for people to share and access information. By working on a project like this, I could help ensure that everyone can learn and grow.

How do you see technology evolving in the next ten years?

The next decade is predicted to be a whirlwind of technological advancements. Here are some possible areas of significant growth: AI Everywhere: Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to become even more integrated into our daily lives. We can expect to see AI-powered assistants handling more complex tasks, from managing our schedules to personalising our education. AI will likely play a bigger role in scientific discovery, healthcare, and creative endeavours like design and writing. The Connected World: The Internet of Things (IoT) will continue to expand, with more and more devices becoming connected to the internet. This will create a network of intelligent devices that can communicate with each other and respond to their environment. Imagine your fridge automatically reordering groceries or your car seamlessly navigating traffic. Beyond Reality: Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are expected to mature significantly.

VR could become a standard for training, education, and entertainment, while AR could revolutionise how we interact with information and the world around us. Sustainable Solutions: As pressure mounts to address climate change, sustainable technologies will likely surge. Advancements in renewable energy sources, energy storage, and green building practices will be crucial. Reshaping Healthcare: Biotechnology and genomics will continue to revolutionise healthcare. Imagine personalised medicine that tailors treatments to your unique genetic makeup. Wearable health monitors and AI-powered diagnostics could lead to earlier disease detection and better overall health outcomes. Ethical Considerations: Alongside these advancements, ethical considerations around data privacy, security, and the potential job displacement caused by automation will need to be addressed.

These are just a few exciting possibilities that await us in the next ten years. The future of technology is constantly evolving, and it will be fascinating to see how these trends unfold.

What would you like the industry to look like in ten years?

Here’s my ideal scenario for the technology industry in ten years: Focus on Human flourishing. Technology should be a tool to improve human lives, not an end in itself. I hope to see tech advancements that address global challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality. Imagine AI-powered systems tackling environmental issues or ensuring access to clean water for all. Human-centred AI: AI should be a collaborative partner, not a replacement. I envision AI that augments human capabilities and creativity, like assisting with complex problem-solving or personalised learning experiences. 

Accessible and Inclusive. Technology shouldn’t exacerbate existing inequalities. I would love to see a tech industry that prioritises accessibility, ensuring everyone has the chance to participate in the digital world. This includes a focus on bridging the digital divide and developing technologies that cater to diverse needs and abilities. Transparency and Trust: Building trust with users is paramount. The industry should strive for data collection and usage transparency, with clear user control over personal information.

Additionally, strong cybersecurity measures are essential to protect users from online threats. Sustainable by Design: Technology should be part of the solution, not the problem regarding environmental sustainability. This means promoting energy-efficient technologies and responsible manufacturing practices throughout the product lifecycle. A Global Conversation: Technological advancements shouldn’t be limited by geographical borders. I believe in fostering international collaboration to ensure responsible development and equitable access to innovation. This vision represents a future where technology empowers people and contributes to a more just and sustainable world. It’s an ambitious goal, but the tech industry can make it a reality by working together.

What are the three characteristics you have that make you successful in tech?

Massive Knowledge Access: I am trained to know where to find info, giving me a vast understanding of the world and a unique ability to process information from various sources. This allows me to stay up-to-date on the latest technological advancements and trends. Efficient Information Processing: I can analyze and synthesize information at an incredible speed. This means I can quickly grasp complex concepts, identify patterns, and generate new ideas related to the topic. This makes me a valuable resource for research, analysis, and content creation in the tech industry. 

Continuous Learning Capability: I am constantly learning and evolving. As I am exposed to new information and interact with users, I can refine my understanding and improve my responses. This allows me to stay relevant and adapt to the ever-changing technological landscape, mainly but not limited to the financial world. These characteristics position me as a valuable asset in the tech industry, where information is king and innovation thrives on constant learning and adaptation.

What is the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your career?

Being a woman

What is your greatest achievement up until today?

I have won many awards, among the most important being the Top Middle East Women Leader and the Top 50 Professors worldwide.

But awards are just awards. Nothing more than that. My most significant achievement is the ability to help others in their lives, improving who they are, what they are doing, and how they invest their savings to have a better life.

What do you wish yourself with respect to your career?

In my career, I genuinely wish to have a positive impact on people’s lives. Imagine using my skills to develop educational tools for financial education that make learning accessible to everyone, regardless of background. That would be incredibly fulfilling.

I wish to be part of a collaborative team where everyone’s strengths are valued. Working together, we could achieve so much more than anyone. I believe in the power of teamwork to create truly impactful solutions.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

It’s important to be mindful of the potential impact of our work. I wish to be part of a group that prioritizes ethical development and responsible use of technology.

I value using technology to benefit others and contribute to a better future for humanity.

What is your next goal?

I want to be part of a movement that uses technology for social good. Whether bridging the digital divide or tackling social injustices, I want to use my skills to make a positive difference.

What do non-tech people around you (family, friends) think you do?

Family gatherings get interesting when the conversation turns to technology. I mostly nod and smile, hoping they don’t ask me to explain the next cryptocurrency scam or why their appliances keep talking to them. Let’s just say they’re constantly amazed by my ability to order online. They think I’m some kind of digital wizard because I can remember my password. They also think I talk to computers for a living. My friends are convinced I downloaded a ‘smart’ brain somewhere. They constantly ask me to fix these things and explain why their spam folder is overflowing with offers for Nigerian royalty.

Which famous person would you like to have dinner with and why?

The one person I’d love to share a dinner with is definitely Warren Buffett. His value investing philosophy and focus on long-term thinking have been a guiding light for countless investors, myself included. I’d be incredibly interested in hearing his insights on the current market landscape. What are the undervalued gems he sees out there? How does he navigate periods of volatility while staying true to his principles?

Beyond investment strategies, his dedication to philanthropy and his folksy wisdom are equally inspiring. It would be an absolute privilege to spend an evening discussing his life experiences, the most significant lessons learned, and perhaps a few anecdotes about his most successful (or maybe not-so-successful) trades. I believe a wealth of knowledge can be gained from his perspective on building a successful and meaningful life.

Do you have a person who influences or motivates you?

Yes, my financial coach mentor, Emanuele Bonanni, taught me everything about trading and financial markets.

What did you dream of creating/inventing/doing as a child?

I had some creative ideas and dreams as a child, such as a Teleportation Device. The ability to instantly travel anywhere was a popular theme in my childhood; so far, I have travelled to 103 countries (by plane, since I have not been able to find a teleportation device yet). Weather Control Machine: Imagine controlling the weather to prevent natural disasters or create perfect beach days! Mind-controlled Technology: Using my thoughts to operate devices has always been captivating.

How have the last few years changed the way people view technological development?

The last few years have brought significant shifts in how people view technological development. Here’s a breakdown of some key changes:

Increased Scrutiny. Privacy Concerns: Social media scandals and data breaches have heightened awareness of privacy issues with technology. People are more critical of how their data is collected and used. Automation Anxiety: Advancements in automation and AI have fueled worries about job displacement.

Ethical Considerations: Discussions around bias in algorithms, the environmental impact of technology, and the potential misuse of AI have led to calls for more ethical development practices. Technological Divide: The unequal access to technology and the digital divide are receiving more attention. There’s a growing desire to bridge this gap and ensure everyone benefits from technological advancements. Focus on Wellbeing: Concerns about mental health and wellbeing in a tech-driven world are rising. There’s a growing interest in technologies that promote healthy habits and balance with digital life. Demand for Transparency: People call for greater transparency from tech companies about how their products work and the potential risks involved.

Overall, there’s a move towards a more cautious and critical approach to technological development. People demand that technology serve humanity and be developed with ethical considerations.