Dr. Khulood Almani is an
entrepreneur, a globally recognized AI and technology leader, and a university
professor with over 15 years of experience in the field. She is a prominent
Saudi figure who is passionate about driving digital transformation and
supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. Dr. Almani’s expertise and
dedication make her a powerful force in the global tech community, driving
innovation and supporting the next generation of digital leaders. Her recognition as one of the
top global women in Tech and among the most powerful global thought leaders in
AI underscores her influence and impact in shaping the future of technology.
Empowering Innovators
Dr. Almani was born in
the US and completed her early education in California, with part of her middle
schooling in Virginia. During this period, her father pursued his higher
education degrees, including his PhD in the US. Blessed with a fruitful
academic career supported by her family, Dr. Almani obtained her PhD from
Loughborough University in the UK.
She has served as a professor
at prestigious institutions such as King Saud University and Princess Nourah
bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Currently, Dr. Almani
holds the esteemed position of the United Nations Ambassador for Women
Empowerment and Peace. Notably, she was the first Saudi appointed as a Senator
of the G20- World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), representing Saudi
Arabia. Additionally, she serves as a Board Member of the World Smart Cities
Economic Development Commission and the Global Science, Technology &
Innovation Committee, both operating under the auspices of the G20.
In alignment with her
leadership responsibilities, Dr. Almani is passionately dedicated to empowering
digital entrepreneurs and startups worldwide. In pursuit of this, she founded
VTA in 2018, a virtual tech accelerator based in the UK aimed at connecting
innovators to the resources of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including funding
and partnerships. She also holds the role of co-founder and investor in Forward
Angel Investment Co., providing financial and strategic support to digital
entrepreneurs and startups globally.
Throughout her
illustrious career, Dr. Almani’s contributions have been recognized with
numerous prestigious awards and accolades, both globally and locally. These
include:
- International
Leadership Award 2024 in AI and Technology
- Ranking first among the
50 most powerful global thought leaders in AI
- Ranking first in the
world among the top 32 thought leaders in the field of technology and AI by the
Mobile World Congress 2023
- Recognition among the
top 50 global women in Tech
- Global Technology
Thought Leadership Medal
- Excellence Award in AI
and Emerging Tech from His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishal Al Saud
- “SheLeads” Leadership Award,
acknowledging her significant role in women’s leadership in technology, digital
transformation, and innovation at the Middle East Low Code No Code Summit.
Pioneering AI Initiatives
Recently, the Saudi
Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence was established, marking a
pioneering initiative within the Kingdom under the auspices of HKB Tech.
Strategic partnerships have been forged with prominent international technology
entities, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and NVIDIA.
Collaborating with the California Institute of Technology (CIT) as part of a
global, multidisciplinary team, endeavors are focused on high-impact AI
projects and investments in AI infrastructure. These initiatives aim to foster
innovation, facilitate collaboration, and foster knowledge exchange, ultimately
propelling digital economic growth.
Revolutionizing Sports
The product aims to cater
to the sports sector, offering an innovative solution in the form of an
e-shirt, a smart interactive garment tailored for football players. Embedded
with IoT devices intricately woven into the fabric, this system meticulously
tracks the player’s sensations of pain, fatigue, and exhaustion while also
monitoring vital signs such as changes in breathing, heart rate, and blood
pressure. Data is transmitted in real-time via local cloud computing to a
central system featuring a Super App empowered by artificial intelligence. This
enables immediate analysis of the collected data, allowing for alerts and
signals to be sent to the coach, indicating the necessity of player
substitution at precise moments. Additionally, AI-generated schedules are
proposed, suggesting optimal times for player rotations based on their
individual conditions, encompassing factors like pain, fatigue, stress, and
other vital signs.
The concept of this smart
interactive shirt was inspired by the Kingdom’s forthcoming hosting of the
Asian Cup and the World Cup. In response to the strategic initiatives led by
the Minister of Sports to modernize Saudi sports stadiums with cutting-edge
technologies, HKB Tech contributed to the development of a comprehensive
proposal. This proposal aimed to transform King Abdullah Sports City into a
smart sports stadium through collaboration with the Saudi Public Investment
Fund (PIF), aligning with the ambitious objectives of this significant project.
Advancing Climate
Solutions
In the realm of climate
tech, HKB Tech is spearheading the implementation of an innovative carbon
removal technology. This solution is engineered to extract carbon dioxide (CO2)
from the atmosphere and convert it into valuable products, offering a proactive
approach to mitigating the impacts of climate change. The integration of
bioenergy with carbon capture and storage holds immense promise in advancing
global climate objectives. As the imperative to combat climate change grows
more pressing, the development and deployment of such carbon removal
technologies are poised to become pivotal priorities for governments,
businesses, and research institutions worldwide.
Simultaneously, HKB Tech
is collaborating with NVIDIA to develop an AI-driven drug discovery product.
This software utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze the effects of
existing drugs and identify novel therapeutic applications. For instance, a
drug initially intended to treat one disease may demonstrate efficacy in
addressing another ailment. This innovative approach not only reduces costs but
also enables pharmaceutical companies to broaden the scope of disease
treatment. Notably, this initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s endeavor to
establish the world’s largest pharmaceutical factory.
Fostering Innovation
The journey commenced
from a convergence of various factors rooted in Dr. Almani’s fervent passion
for innovation and the creation of pioneering solutions. This enduring drive
was further propelled by an unwavering quest for challenges and a deep-seated
aspiration to derive greater fulfillment from her endeavors, particularly in
effecting positive change in the lives of others. The unwavering support and
encouragement from her husband, Hesham Bin Dayel, a distinguished businessman
hailing from a venerable business lineage in the Kingdom, proved instrumental
in shaping her path. Additionally, Dr. Almani has long pursued financial and
professional autonomy, recognizing entrepreneurship as a conduit to realizing
personal success through avenues that are both inventive and inspiring.
Essential Traits of
Effective Leadership
Dr. Almani believes that
leadership entails the capacity to inspire, guide, and empower others toward
common objectives and a collective vision. She identifies several essential
qualities that underpin effective leadership, including vision, communication,
integrity, empathy, decision-making prowess, adaptability, empowerment,
resilience, strategic acumen, and the ability to inspire others. By
amalgamating these attributes, she emphasizes the creation of a robust
framework for steering teams and organizations toward achievement, all while
cultivating a workplace culture characterized by positivity and productivity.
Guiding Principles for
Climate Tech Entrepreneurs
Dr. Almani advises aspiring entrepreneurs venturing into climate tech to remain informed, innovative, and collaborative. Staying abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and policies in the climate tech industry is crucial for identifying opportunities and addressing gaps. Encouraging creativity and out-of-the-box thinking can lead to the development of sustainable solutions for environmental challenges. Establishing a robust network with peers, investors, and organizations can offer valuable support, guidance, and funding. Dr. Almani emphasizes the significance of viewing challenges as learning experiences and maintaining resilience in the face of setbacks. Above all, she advocates for unwavering commitment to the vision of effecting positive environmental impact through climate tech innovations.