Dr. Rana el Kaliouby is an Egyptian-American scientist and entrepreneur who has distinguished herself as a pioneer in the field of Emotion AI. Co-founder and former CEO of Affectiva, a leading developer of emotion recognition technologies, she has dedicated her career to exploring the link between facial expressions, human emotions and social interactions. Read our article on her career!
Rana el Kaliouby: a passionate scientist determined to change the world
Born in Cairo in 1978, Rana el Kaliouby grew up between Egypt and Kuwait, nurturing a passion for technology and innovation from an early age. Inspired by her mother, one of the first female programmers in the Middle East, she went on to study computer science at the American University in Cairo.
Her quest for knowledge then led her to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA, where she obtained a PhD in computer science.
It was at the prestigious MIT Media Lab that she truly revolutionized the field of affective computing, developing algorithms capable of identifying and analyzing human emotions from facial expressions.
In 2009, Rana el Kaliouby co-founded Affectiva with Rosalind Picard, giving birth to a company that would become a world leader in the development of emotional artificial intelligence technologies.
Under his leadership, Affectiva has developed innovative solutions for a multitude of applications, from improving user experience in technology products to autism and mental health research, to sentiment analysis in social media and marketing.
As an example, Rana el Kaliouby has been involved in the development of smart glasses that use facial expression recognition technology to identify the emotions of people around them and display them as emojis on the wearer's glasses.
Miniature cameras capture images of the faces of people in the user's field of vision. Affectiva's algorithms then analyze these images to identify facial expressions and associate them with specific emotions. Emojis corresponding to the emotions detected are then displayed on the glasses, making it easier for the user to understand the emotional state of the people around them.
The main aim of these glasses was to help people with autism to decode facial expressions and better understand the emotions of others in order to improve their social interactions, reduce anxiety and feel more at ease in social situations.
A scientist committed to a fairer future
Dr. Rana el Kaliouby is guided by a strong set of values that influence her work and personal life. She is deeply committed to inclusion and diversity, convinced that scientific and technological success can only be achieved by encouraging the participation of all, whatever their gender, origin or background.
Her commitment to ethics and responsibility is also evident in her work. She ensures that the emotional artificial intelligence applications she develops are used responsibly and with respect for individual privacy.
In addition to these core values, Dr. el Kaliouby is also known for her optimism and confidence in humanity's potential. She believes that technology can be a positive force for change, and that it can help create a better world for all.
A strong voice for women's rights
Beyond her remarkable scientific achievements, Dr. el Kaliouby also stands out for her unwavering commitment to the promotion of women's rights in science and technology.
She is an active voice for inclusion and diversity in STEM, encouraging girls and women to pursue careers in these traditionally male-dominated fields.
As an inspirational speaker and dedicated mentor, Rana el Kaliouby shares her experiences and knowledge with women around the world, motivating them to break down barriers and make their mark in sectors often perceived as inaccessible. She is convinced that a diversity of perspectives and talents is essential for innovation and scientific progress.
A leader recognized and rewarded for her excellence
Dr. Rana el Kaliouby has received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to Emotional Artificial Intelligence (EAI) and the promotion of women in STEM.
Among the most notable are:
CIO magazine's "Top 100 Women in Technology" award (2023);
Women in Technology's "Innovator of the Year" award (2022);
Visionary Leader" award from the Stevie Awards for Women in Business (2021);
Fast Company's "Tech for Humanity Leadership Award" (2020) ;
Breakthrough Technology Leader Award from the World Economic Forum (2019) ;
Forbes America's "Top 50 Women in Tech" award (2018) ;
Smithsonian Magazine American Ingenuity Award in Technology (2017) ;
and MIT Technology Review's "Innovator Under 35" award (2016).
These awards and distinctions testify to the considerable impact Dr. el Kaliouby has had on the fields of IAE and the promotion of women in STEM.
She is a true source of inspiration for scientists, entrepreneurs and students around the world. Sources :
Photo Credits:
https://www.ted.com/talks/rana_el_kaliouby_this_app_knows_how_you_feel_from_the_look_on_your_face/transcript?language=fr Written by Océane D.
Comments