Introduction

> There's a deeper question about our evolving relationship with emotionally intelligent machines, impacting how we interact with them and each other. "| think about that a lot."

> Building machines programmed for empathy raises concerns about the nature of our connection to them and the implications for human relationships. "I don't know how I feel about that."

Childhood

> The memories of my childhood, especially the summer days spent with family around my grandmother's mango tree, taught me the power of connection. "The joy of being together around food... that always stuck with me." Those moments were about warmth, laughter, and a sense of belonging that has shaped my values.

> My first experience with coding, where I drew a Christmas tree at just six years old, revealed the magic of technology to me. "This thing—it's magic in here." That moment ignited my passion for programming, empowering me to understand that I could create something beautiful that could bring joy to many people.

> Growing up between different cultures instilled in me a strong sense of grit and resilience. "There were no slackers in our family," which has driven me to pursue my dreams unapologetically, even when it meant challenging cultural norms. My parents’ unconditional support, despite initial fears, shaped me into who I am today.

Hijab

> Wearing the hijab was a personal, voluntary choice for me—a way to express modesty and humility, almost like wearing a suit as a sign of respect for tradition. It became part of my self-expression, matching colors with my outfits and making it uniquely mine.

> As my life evolved, especially with my experiences in the US and the political climate in Egypt, I began questioning how I practiced my faith. It took significant courage to take off the hijab, especially given cultural norms, but it was part of a personal journey of maintaining my core values and pride in my Egyptian and Muslim identity, while also evolving what that means for me over time.

Faith

> Faith brings a sense of surrender and conviction that everything will be okay, providing inner peace and calmness amidst adversity. It's about believing that there is a silver lining in every situation, even when it initially seems catastrophic. This belief in a greater force or a positive outcome helps navigate through tough times and gives meaning to life's challenges over time.

War

> It’s baffling to realize that despite our shared desires for “human connection, joy, and a life of purpose,” we remain entangled in conflict, influenced by narratives that distort our perception of each other. When I think back to my friendship with my office mate from Israel, birthed in the wake of 9/11, it hits me that such connections can change the narrative, highlighting our similarities rather than our differences.

> The potential for technology, particularly social media, to bridge divides is remarkable; it allows us to connect beyond the walls erected by leaders. When people meet face to face, as I’ve seen repeatedly, the realization that “people fall in love across different nations and religions” can dismantle long-held prejudices and misunderstandings, creating a pathway towards healing and unity.

Women in the Middle East

> Empathy lies at the heart of human connection, and throughout my career, I've seen how it can drive behavior change, motivate people, and foster loyalty and friendships. Growing up in the Middle East, where emotional intimacy happens quickly and people genuinely get to know each other, has deeply influenced my approach to building authentic connections.

> While I avoid overgeneralizing, there's a notable dynamic in fields like robotics where systemizers often dominate. This creates a unique space for empathizers, especially women, to bring critical perspectives on human interaction and collaboration, turning what could be seen as a gap into a profound opportunity for innovation and growth.

Rana's journey

> Moving from Cairo to Cambridge with a clear career plan, aiming to return to Egypt to teach, yet found a new passion for research and innovation that changed my life's trajectory.

> Encountering the culture at MIT, especially the Media Lab, where the acceptance of risk and failure was liberating, unlike the fear of failure ingrained back home, inspiring a shift in my thinking toward embracing innovation.

> Exploring the world of robotics, finding magic in the life imbued in machines, fostering a love for legged robots and experimenting with ways they can convey affection, especially valuing the unbridled enthusiasm and curiosity of children towards robots.

Rosalind Picard

> Perseverance is everything; when I faced rejection on our grant application, I learned from Rosalind Picard that it's not the end of the road—it's just an opportunity to prove ourselves and come back stronger. Her approach to challenges made me realize the power of reframing negativity into motivation.

> Meeting Roz also opened my eyes to the beauty of shared core values despite our differences. Her deep faith in humanity and unwavering conviction inspired me to believe in the goodness of the world, and I am sincerely grateful for that guiding light in my journey.

Advice for women

> Believing in yourself: Overcoming self-doubt is a continual journey. I've referred to the negative voice in my head as the "Debbie Downer"—a voice that's always nagging with self-criticism. The key is to not let this inner critic become the biggest obstacle. Balance listening to it when it's constructive and shutting it down when it's not.

> Daily affirmations and journaling: These practices have profoundly impacted my sense of self and long-term goals. Affirmations like "my smile lights up the whole world" and "I attract amazing people into my universe" help me set positive intentions for the day. Journaling, especially using the Day One app, allows me to confront my insecurities and document my progress over time.

> Intentionality and personal growth: Affirmations infuse my day with intentionality, reminding me of the kind of person I aspire to be. Whether it’s grounding my day or affirming qualities like patience and trust in the universe, these practices bolster my resilience and open me up to receiving the good I put out into the world.

Dating

> I believe that love and connection are part of the human condition that AI can help solve. There is a science behind that first moment you meet a person and chemistry is real, backed by chemicals exchanged when people interact.

> Building an AI that finds connections based on shared interests, like books or content consumed, is a solvable machine learning problem. Apps matching people based on humor styles, like Smile Dating, focus on key ingredients for successful relationships, such as making each other laugh and generating inside jokes.

Human nature

> The story of Jamal Dunn really drives home for me the reality of our "empathy crisis"—we’ve devolved into a place where technology, while connecting us, also dehumanizes us. It’s heartbreaking to see how people can laugh during such a tragic moment, reflecting an alarming disconnection in human nature.

> Emotional intelligence truly is what makes us human; it shapes our relationships, our choices, and ultimately our society. It’s about more than just expressing our own feelings; it's about being sensitive to others' emotions and engaging in that profound "dance" of connection. We can leverage technology to enhance empathy, but we must be conscious and intentional in its design.

AI and emotions

> Depth of Emotions and Cognition: Emotions are intricately woven into our cognition and memories. They’re not just surface-level expressions but fundamental to decision-making and daily functioning. When stripped away, people struggle to make choices, showcasing how deeply ingrained emotions are in our consciousness.

> Beyond Communication: Emotions serve more than just communication. Even outside social contexts, people exhibit emotions which aid in processing experiences and making decisions. This insight was particularly reinforced through our work at Affectiva, observing emotional expressions even when people were alone, like watching content in their bedrooms.

> Complexity of Emotion Detection: Understanding emotions from facial expressions is incredibly complex because there’s no one-to-one mapping between expressions and emotions. A smile doesn’t always mean happiness and a frown doesn’t necessarily indicate anger. Accurate emotion detection requires considering the context and using multimodal signals for a more precise understanding.

> Impact of AI and Bias: One of my major concerns is not AI taking over humanity but the unintentional bias we might encode into these systems, which could then perpetuate societal biases on a large scale. While AI can provide mirrors to our society, we must be willing to scrutinize and correct these biases actively.

> Human-AI Relationships: Reflecting on AI’s role, movies like "Her" show technology as a positive change catalyst, fostering healthier, connected lives if emotion AI is done right. Yet, the complexities of human-like relationships with AI, including potential attachment and the ethical implications of AI like social robots, need careful consideration, always keeping transparency and user control at the forefront.

Smart Eye

> Smart Eye's mission is to bring driver monitoring systems to the automotive industry to save lives by detecting driver distraction and drowsiness. The acquisition by Smart Eye allowed for an expansion beyond just monitoring the driver to now monitoring the entire cabin of the car, detecting activities like eating, drinking, or even if a baby is left in the car seat to prevent accidents and save lives.

> Working with car companies, while challenging due to varying needs and cost concerns, offers a significant opportunity once you're in, as Smart Eye is designed into 94 car models. The industry's high barrier to entry is offset by long-term design commitments and royalty fees per vehicle once on the road.

> The shift towards software-driven architecture in cars, exemplified by Tesla, presents a cultural and technical challenge in the automotive industry. Embracing software updates and dynamic code changes can significantly enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall human experience in cars, allowing for real-time adjustments to optimize the driving environment based on passenger sentiment.

Tesla and Waymo

> The future of autonomous vehicles hinges on "interior sensing," which is vital as the role of the driver evolves from steering to managing dynamics within the car. We need solutions that can recognize passenger emotions—like boredom or anxiety—and respond accordingly to enhance the driving experience and safety.

> There's a fascinating “dance” that occurs between humans and semi-autonomous cars, where driver monitoring can enrich this interaction. Driver sensing is crucial for the car to understand the driver’s state, ensuring smoother transitions of control and allowing the car to step in if needed—essentially increasing our safety and trust in the technology.

> AI should not only focus on external environments but also enrich our daily interactions with technology—like smart refrigerators recognizing our eating habits. I envision a world where our cars and appliances can learn from us, making personalized suggestions that enhance our well-being, rather than just reacting to the bare basics of our actions.

Drunk driving

> Exploring AI's potential in road safety, especially in detecting alcohol intoxication using various sensors, is crucial. Collecting data is challenging due to the ethical implications, but it's a necessary step to enhance vehicle intelligence and ensure safer driving experiences.

> The concept of cars as "wellness centers" excites me. Imagine vehicles equipped with sensors that monitor not only your emotional state and level of distraction but also physical parameters like heart rate and breathing. This integrated approach could optimize the driving experience tailored to individual needs and well-being.

> One of the primary challenges lies in the user experience – how to make the car's responses intuitive and non-intrusive. Although the technology for interior sensing and driver monitoring is advancing, partnering with car manufacturers to define optimal use cases that build trust with users is essential. Balancing technology's potential with thoughtful user-centric design is key.

Robotics

> Building home robots like Roomba provides an incredible platform to understand human behavior within the home, which can be used to improve consumer experiences in meaningful ways beyond just product recommendations.

> Emotional connections are already being formed with home robots like Roomba, paving the way for new possibilities in social robotics that go beyond automation tasks, such as assisting with weight management and other health-focused applications.

> Trust is a crucial factor for the success of social robots in the home, and earning that trust involves being open, transparent, and demonstrating a commitment to privacy and security at all levels of the company culture, from engineers to CEOs, to build a positive reputation over time.

Advice for startups

> Starting a successful company begins with a problem you are deeply passionate about solving. The first step is often the hardest, but don’t overthink it—reduce your idea to its simplest form and focus on creating a minimum viable product that truly addresses a pain point for someone, even if that someone is you.

> Another critical aspect is surrounding yourself with the right people. Establish clear core values early on, as these will guide your decisions during tough times. I believe it’s essential to find team members and investors who share your passion and commitment, akin to picking a life partner, so that you have a solid foundation to navigate the ups and downs together.

Investing

> When it comes to investing, I leverage my technology background in AI and machine learning to perform a deep level of diligence. This involves really understanding the technology that underpins the companies, ensuring there's substance behind their claims. Beyond this, it’s essential for me to be genuinely excited about the company and able to passionately advocate for it in conversations, as that enthusiasm is a litmus test for potential investment.

> I'm particularly drawn to the pre-seed stage despite its high level of uncertainty. The founders at this stage often have a contagious conviction and almost a naïve belief in their vision, which I find magical. As a previous founder myself, I empathize with their journey, creating a safe space for them to share their challenges and struggles. It's vital to assess not just the technology and market potential, but also the founder's resilience, leadership qualities, and their ability to pivot and adapt.

Advice for young people

> Embark on a journey without attaching to outcomes and enjoy the process rather than fixating on the end goal. Trust that things will work out and be open to different paths along the way.

> Avoid over-planning and over-optimizing, as it may hinder creativity and the potential for truly game-changing ideas. Balancing goals with flexibility allows for more creative and impactful solutions to emerge.

> While goal-setting is important to learn how to get things done, once you master that skill, you can find freedom in allowing yourself to be lost in the flow of life. Living below your means can create the freedom to pursue what truly brings joy and fulfillment, while responsibilities like family can amplify productivity and accountability.

Love

> Love is the essence of our existence; "I think it would be very hard to live life without love in any of its forms." It’s a universal desire, and the joy of both giving and receiving love creates profound human connections.

> As technology evolves, the question arises about the future of love; "I wasn't quite thinking about that [a toaster], I was thinking about Brad Pitt." This reflects a fascinating exploration of how our emotional connections might expand or transform in the age of AI and robotics.