The future holds immense opportunity in the field of data and AI. AI is automating tasks across industries, contributing to faster outcomes and embedding enhanced privacy. Ethical considerations like bias and transparency are becoming paramount as AI takes on bigger roles. This dynamic landscape holds promise for innovation but necessitates careful navigation.
At the crossroads of this transformative environment stands Siba Salloum—an individual driven by a profound enthusiasm for data and AI. Equipped with a Master of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, Siba embodies the fusion of economic insight and technological prowess. Her journey through the intricacies of economics and the complexities of information systems has garnered her numerous recognitions and awards establishing Siba as a futurist, innovative and disruptive force in the industry.
Siba’s visionary leadership as Founder & CEO at Nash comes to the forefront in this rapidly advancing realm powered by AI. With a fervent commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities, she navigates the complexities of the sector with agility and foresight. Her persistent efforts to achieve excellence and dedication to ethical practices serve as a guiding light in an era where the intersection of data and AI holds both immense promise and profound challenges.
Join in on a tale of transformative leadership paving the way for pioneering advancements that drive business growth and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and societal responsibility!
The Rise of Data
Delving into the worlds of Economics and Information Systems provides the strategic perspective to examine situations in their broader contexts while also introducing a variety of skills, including operations research and diverse modeling and coding techniques to handle complex processes and datasets.
“In Economics, trend identification and prediction are core elements,” says Siba. It involves compiling data from various sources, ensuring its quality, completeness and accuracy, and then processing it to draw conclusions about past trends and predictions about future economic performance.
With the rapid pace of technological advancements, the volume of data generated and processed is skyrocketing. This presents new opportunities for data utilization. Consequently, new data processing techniques are emerging, which means that the ability to understand and manipulate these tools’ technical aspects is imperative. This is where proficiency in coding, data modeling and database management becomes indispensable.
Data, Ethics and Innovation
“Nash thrives on data,” says Siba. “With data as our guide, we take optimal routes to innovation, automation, optimization, transformation, and artificial intelligence.”
At Nash, the entire data lifecycle is embraced from building the foundations to crafting machine learning models that fuel rapid growth. The vision? To become the foremost data and applied AI company, setting global standards in the field.
“Our approach is anchored upon translation,” explains Siba. Building a common understanding that aligns with each organization’s strategic vision. Nash’s scope spans across business and technology streams, offering insights to disrupt the status quo and uncover hidden opportunities.
Inspired by John Forbes Nash, Jr., the renowned mathematician, Nash embodies a commitment to excellence. Nash’s contributions including the Nash Equilibrium or the Nash Solution, continue to inspire the company’s ethos. “He introduced the distinction between cooperative games and non-cooperative games. He also did groundbreaking work in other mathematics and developed the Nash embedding theorem,” notes Siba, citing Nobel Prize.org.
Nash prioritizes ethics including intellectual property rights, data protection along with environmental responsibility. Upholding data & AI ethics is principal to ensuring that all ideas and plans are safeguarded while adhering to strict ethical guidelines.
Data as Currency
“Data has always existed in every organization,” states Siba. “Its role, however, is becoming central to commercialization, operations and customer experience driven by increasing rates of automation and digitalization.” With the right data practices, we can achieve more with less, cut costs, save time, and gain competitive advantages.
Furthermore, data is the chief component of the new machine education system, with machines poised to predict the future and make decisions impacting people’s lives and businesses’ profitability.
At Nash, the idea revolves around building data capabilities that prepare organizations for optimal automation and the implementation of business-specific machine-learning models. “Our passion is to accompany businesses on their journey as they successfully navigate the fourth (& fifth) industrial revolution, leverage their existing knowledge, and keep growing.”
Operational Excellence
“In our digital world, data is no longer used only to report, reflect and analyze—it is running the operations,” Siba observes.
Traditionally, operations entail assigning tasks to team members and providing necessary training and guidelines. However, with the surge in data volumes and computing capabilities, machines are now equipped to make decisions based on data. They are trained to build their intelligence and continually enhance their learning under supervision. While human capital remains essential, it is redirected towards higher-value tasks.
Data is the new oil—a notion first introduced in 2006 by Clive Humby, is only making more sense with time as data takes on an increasingly prominent role in economic growth. Siba states, “We will have to think about data differently and this shifts the importance of robust data foundations from a good to have to a must have.”
This structural shift impacts all sectors as companies strive to maintain competitiveness and fortify market positions. Siba finds this transformation fascinating, recognizing the potential benefits it holds for economies and humanity at large.
Siba illuminates, “I would say that the protection of intellectual property is key to a creative environment. Our team members will only continue to generate fascinating ideas when they feel safe sharing with colleagues while being confident that they will get the appropriate recognition.” She points out that there is a difference between working as a team and between recognizing superstar contributions. She emphasizes, “The moment we blur those lines for their own benefit is the moment we lose a goldmine of creative ideas .”
Innovation requires tolerance for failure and acceptance of iterations. There is no definite answer to each innovative attempt and rigidity is an obstacle. Taking calculated risks and leaving a margin for trial and error will give confidence to the team to explore and implement ideas with exponential returns.
Siba says, “Space is essential, and I try to stay as far as possible from micro-management .” This is a creativity killer and people need to align on the vision, but then be given the space to think freely and innovate. She usually takes e very opportunity to ask questions and listen to her colleagues. One would be surprised by how different perspectives on the same aspect can be; people see the same thing very differently and this is very enriching.
Embracing Developments
Data and applied AI are de veloping at speed, and for that, the top criterion is the ability to be and stay dynamic. The field is expected to witness advancements in many directions and the ability to pivot and adapt is what will differentiate the successful.
Nash is highly aligned with the approach including this dynamism. The offering is both tech and industry-agnostic, in the sense that it is built around a global approach rather than a specific tool or software or a static data structure.
Siba shares that it is a priority to be surrounded by people with high ethical standards. Values are seen in how people behave, the actions they take and the advice they give. She says, “This is an essential requirement and I take the responsibility of instilling the right culture and morale very seriously. This is also fundamental as we incorporate the ethical considerations related to processing personal data and running high-risk AI .”
Pioneering the Future
Staying agile and adaptable to emerging technologies and trends is vital to remain at the forefront of innovation along with dynamic and continuous learning. Siba shares that all data & AI aspects are constantly evolving, and it is critical to stay informed. There is no source that has it all, and that’s why personal motivation and initiative are required.
She says, “I expect the next years to witness additional fast developments and I am keen to ensure Nash is a pioneer.” While the vision is clear, the means are going to be adaptable and will continue to develop along the way.
Books, articles, industry events, conversations with thought leaders, and discussions with Nash clients challenge Siba’s thinking and keep her informed. Nash was a partner for the Data Innovation Summit MEA in May 2024 and they have their eyes on the Dubai AI & WEB3 Festival taking place in September.
Ethics in the Digital Era
Siba emphasizes, “Ethics are foundational to our approach and data protection is no different.” A main characteristic of the fifth industrial revolution is putting human well-being at the center of all advancements. Nash exists under the umbrella of the DIFC Innovation Hub and the Dubai AI Campus. Thus, implementing satisfactory data protection measures is mandatory. The DIFC Data Protection Law and the UAE Personal Data Protection Law incorporate the best global standards.
There are continuous efforts to debate and shape the regulations around high-risk AI activities. Being a pioneer in AI, Siba shares that the UAE is expected to be a major contributor to those efforts.
She highlights, “At Nash, I am keen on following best practices and adhering to the required declarations and notifications. People will quickly get on board if they know why it is important to protect data and respect personal privacy; starting from the ‘why’ will help reach an alignment and instill those values.”
The Innovative Mind
Siba’s academic and professional experience revolves around data mining, modeling, predictions, strategic thinking, and innovation. She points out, “There is nothing more exciting than being provided with massive amounts of data and being asked to make sense of it!” The ability to examine cause and effect patterns and extract insights from abstract indicators is an art that requires real passion.
What motivates Siba the most is the space for creativity. In innovation & AI, there is no finish line. There is this freedom to challenge the status quo, to think about better ways to live, work and connect. Siba finds great satisfaction in this critical thinking and enjoys the journey of dismantling complex situations while developing innovative solutions that generate positive disruptions.
Demystifying Complexity
Siba underlines, “Disruption and change are not easy, there might be resistance, but working with a forward thinking leadership will help overcome those obstacles and get the required buy-in.”
She has had the opportunity to work with some brilliant colleagues in different functions. Adoption is on top of the list for any successful innovation. People should want this change; they should find it beneficial to them.
A successful and sustainable transformation is achieved via collaboration. In Siba’s words, “Building a common understanding about this change among all stakeholders, streamlining strategy, technology, operations, finance, and commercial teams.”
Siba adds to this the aspect of explainability. The ability to adapt complex technical concepts and put them in the words of your audience is key. She states, “For people to take part and be interested, they need to know the benefits explained using terms they use daily at work; they want to know what’s in it for them.”
