Humanity's Digital Heartbeat // Rana el Kaliouby's "Girl Decoded" (with Carol Coleman)

Where will your ambition lead you?

Meet Rana el Kaliouby, the scientist who taught computers to feel in a world that taught her to hide her emotions. Her remarkable journey from Egypt to becoming a pioneering tech CEO reveals the profound connection between emotional intelligence and our increasingly digital lives.

Growing up as an Egyptian Muslim woman, Rana navigated cultural expectations while nurturing extraordinary ambitions. Her traditional upbringing, where "nice Egyptian girls" followed specific paths, collided with her revolutionary vision of technology that could understand human feelings. When she discovered that computers suffered from the same emotional blindness she experienced in her own life, her mission became clear: teach machines what she herself was learning about emotional expression and understanding.

My conversation with my friend Chanelle explores not just Rana's technological breakthroughs, but the universal challenges women face in male-dominated fields. As a black women in tech, Chanelle's experiences mirror many of Rana's struggles with impostor syndrome, work-life balance, and constantly feeling the need to prove oneself. We dive into how cultural backgrounds shape our relationship with emotions, the double standards women face when pursuing ambitious careers, and the liberation that comes from embracing vulnerability.

What makes this story truly compelling is Rana's ultimate quest: humanizing technology before it dehumanizes us. In an age where social media and digital communication are creating an empathy crisis, her work represents a crucial bridge between human connection and technological advancement. Are we losing our humanity to our devices, or can we create technology that enhances our emotional intelligence? Listen as we explore how one woman's journey might help answer this essential question for our digital future.

Listener discretion advised: this episode has description of war crimes

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If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback!

Link to this episode’s book:
 Girl Decoded by Rana el Kaliouby

Other ways to support/connect with Rana el Kaliouby:
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Pioneers of AI Podcast

Transcripts are available through apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know. 

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Theme song by Devin Kennedy

Special thanks to my dear friend, Chanelle. I’m in awe of your talent!

Xx, Alex