Rana El Kaliouby, Ph.D.
About Rana El Kaliouby, Ph.D.
Rana El Kaliouby, Ph.D., is a prominent AI expert and entrepreneur, currently serving as an AI Advisor at Smart Eye and a Venture Partner at BOLD Capital Partners. She has held various leadership roles, including co-founder and CEO of Affectiva, and has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
Work at World Economic Forum
Rana El Kaliouby has been involved with the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader since 2017. She previously served as a member of the Future Global Council on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence from 2016 to 2024. Her role at the World Economic Forum highlights her commitment to addressing global challenges through technology and innovation.
Education and Expertise
Rana El Kaliouby holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge, which she obtained from 2001 to 2005. She completed her MSc in Computer Science at The American University in Cairo from 1998 to 2000 and earned a BSc in Computer Science, Electronics, and Business Administration from the same institution from 1993 to 1998. Additionally, she pursued post-doctoral studies in Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 2006 to 2010 and completed Executive Education in Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century at Harvard Kennedy School in 2017.
Current Professional Roles
Rana El Kaliouby currently serves as an AI Advisor at Smart Eye, a position she has held since 2024. She is also a Venture Partner at BOLD Capital Partners since 2023 and an Eisenhower US Fellow at Eisenhower Fellowships, also since 2023. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Directors at Videra Health and an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School, both roles she has held since 2021.
Achievements and Contributions
Rana El Kaliouby co-founded Affectiva in 2016, where she serves as CEO. She has been recognized in the Boston Globe’s Top 50 Tech Power Players. She co-hosts a PBS NOVA series focused on artificial intelligence and co-founded the AI Operators Fund in 2021, which has invested in 40 startups across the AI sector. She has also co-chaired YPO’s first-ever AI Summit and is a co-chair of the Fortune Brainstorm AI conferences.
Leadership and Community Involvement
Rana El Kaliouby is actively involved in leadership roles within various organizations. She launched and serves as Chapter Chair of YPO Boston and is a member of the YPO Northeast Regional Board. She is a trustee at the Boston Museum of Science, Milton Academy, and the American University in Cairo, reflecting her commitment to education and community engagement.