MBZUAI alumnus Abdulaziz Aleissaee is working as a Senior Specialist in AI at Abu Dhabi Media Company after graduating from MBZUAI's inaugural class. He credits his early interest in video game NPCs with sparking his passion for AI, leading him to implement AI solutions at Abu Dhabi Media. He emphasizes the importance of sharing AI knowledge and combating AI illiteracy. Why it matters: This highlights MBZUAI's role in developing local AI talent and its graduates' contributions to AI adoption in key regional industries like media.
MBZUAI alumnus Steven Hoang, a 2023 Machine Learning graduate, is now an AI engineer at Wells Fargo, where he contributes to the company's AI strategy. Previously, Hoang worked at AbbVie as a natural language software developer and agentic AI software engineer. Hoang credits his time at MBZUAI for preparing him for this significant role, where he collaborates across departments and considers the broader impact of AI initiatives. Why it matters: This success story highlights MBZUAI's role in developing talent capable of leading AI initiatives at major global financial institutions.
Faris Almalik, an MBZUAI alumnus, discusses his journey from mechanical engineering to becoming a senior data scientist at the Department of Government Enablement – TAMM in Abu Dhabi. Almalik emphasizes his passion for continuous learning and knowledge sharing, which has driven his career across defense, education, finance, and government sectors. He published his first paper on adversarial attacks on medical imaging at MICCAI during his time at MBZUAI. Why it matters: This highlights the success of MBZUAI in producing impactful AI professionals who contribute to both research and practical applications in key sectors within the UAE.
MBZUAI alumnus Ahmed Sharshar is developing smaller AI models to make the technology more accessible, especially in resource-constrained environments like Egypt. His master's thesis involved creating an app that assesses lung health using mobile phone video analysis, eliminating the need for traditional medical devices. Sharshar is pursuing his Ph.D. at MBZUAI, focusing on lightweight and energy-efficient models for various applications. Why it matters: Democratizing AI through smaller, efficient models can enable broader applications and innovation across diverse sectors in the Middle East and beyond.
Freddy Jimenez, regional innovation lead for Pfizer in the Middle East, Africa, and Russia, is working to implement AI solutions for healthcare challenges in the UAE. Jimenez joined the Executive Education Program at MBZUAI to expand his knowledge and drive the country's healthcare industry forward. He emphasizes the importance of strategic approaches to AI in healthcare due to rapid technological advancements outpacing regulation. Why it matters: This highlights the UAE's focus on leveraging AI to improve healthcare outcomes and the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and government to accelerate AI adoption in the heavily regulated healthcare sector.