I work in the technology space where I design, develop and deploy user-centered intelligent systems to impact people. I have been working to advocate for a greater focus on innovation and technology in Somalia and Somaliland.
I have founded several non-profit organizations that focus on supporting techies and start-ups in Somalia and Somaliland. I have also previously participated and run start-up accelerator, incubation programmes, and coding camps for start-ups in Somalia and Somaliland last few years.
I'm currently a research scientist and manager with the Inclusive Financial Services Research Group at IBM Research -- you can find a summary of my activities at the lab here. Prior to IBM Research, I has worked at Microsoft Research, Carnegie Mellon University and Fuji-Xerox Palo Alto Labs. I also co-founded Innovate Ventures and Worldwide Somali Students and Professional.
I obtained my PhD in computer science from University College London, and was advised by Prof. Ann Blandford and Dr. Anastasios Tombros. I have published more than 35 papers and patents. I have been fortunate to be recognized as a TED Fellow and Next Einstein Forum Fellow. I have also been named one of the World’s Top Young Innovators under 35 and received the TR35 awarded by MIT’s Technology Review. My work has been featured in Forbes, Wired, Technology Review, Quartz, BBC Radio, CNN and Fast Company among others.
Innovate Ventures is the leading start-up accelerator and technology fund, and provides training and mentoring on product development, marketing, strategy and investor pitching to the youth, IT professionals and entrepreneurs in the Somalia and Somaliland.
Learn MoreWorldwide Somali Students Professionals (WSSP) is the largest professional network of Somalis working closely with IOM to help address the brain-drain in the Somali region.
Learn MoreIBM Research is IBM's research and development division. It is the largest industrial research organization in the world, with twelve labs on six continents.
Learn MoreMicrosoft Research is the research division of Microsoft. It was formed in 1991, with the intent to advance state-of-the-art computing and solve difficult world problems through technological innovation
Learn MoreCarnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools, the university became the Carnegie Institute
Learn MoreFX Palo Alto Laboratory (FXPAL) is wholly owned by Fuji Xerox, a market leader in enterprise communication tools and services in the Asia Pacific region.
Learn MoreEmTech, MIT Tech Review 2017, Boston | USA - Nov 4-9
Ignitve, 2017, Amsterdam | Netherlands - Dec 1-3
Africon 2017, Capetown | South Africa - Sept 17-21
TEDGlobal 2017, Arusha | Tanzania - Aug 27-30