The world of Artificial Intelligence is evolving at breakneck speed. Some people aren’t just following the trends, they’re shaping them. Dr. Nevine Makram Labib is one of them. She serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Economic Observatory Using AI (EOUAI) at Cairo University and is also the Chair of the Computer & Information Systems Department at SADAT Academy for Management Sciences.

Her story isn’t just about curiosity. It’s about a deep conviction that AI can transform lives and societies.

TECHx Media had the chance to speak with Dr. Nevine, a renowned Professor of Computer Science and Information Systems, for its Women in Tech feature. Her work brings together healthcare, education, and strategic progress, all powered by data and technology.

Dr. Nevine’s path started with solving real-world problems. Now, she’s turning that passion into a powerful transformation across the Middle East.

From Pioneering Insights to Regional Influence

Even as a university student in Egypt, Dr. Nevine’s passion for healing converged with the nascent power of computer science. A foundational mentor’s wisdom, “Universities must solve real problems”, ignited a lifelong quest. This principle resonated deeply as her early projects harnessed AI for groundbreaking applications, from assisting pediatric diagnosis to providing differential diagnosis of chest pain, proving AI’s tangible potential to save lives.

In the 1990s, when dedicated AI faculties were virtually non-existent in Egypt, Dr. Nevine’s foresight was remarkable. Undeterred, she pursued an AI diploma, diving headfirst into medical applications and crafting early expert systems. While many viewed AI as a mere “laboratory fantasy,” impractical and inaccessible, Dr. Nevine envisioned its boundless potential beyond academic confines in hospitals, schools, and shaping national policy.

“I realized very early,” she asserts, “AI isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity, especially for accelerating development.”

Years before the global AI boom, Dr. Nevine was already deploying machine learning in critical medical fields like cardiology and oncology. Her visionary work laid the groundwork for the future, a future dramatically accelerated by the recent pandemic. Telemedicine, virtual diagnostics, remote operations, the very innovations she championed became indispensable global tools, validating her early insights.

Empowering Nations Through Predictive Foresight

Today, Dr. Nevine’s enthusiasm is deeply rooted in the transformative power of predictive analytics. She actively leads and contributes to national-level AI initiatives, providing policymakers with crucial insights to anticipate challenges and opportunities. “When you detect patterns early, you can act early,” she emphasizes. “This power extends from individuals to entire nations, driving proactive decision-making in healthcare, education, and economics.”

Her extensive advisory roles, including the Economic Observatory using Artificial Intelligence at Cairo University and the Egyptian Board of Health Informatics, underscore her impact in leveraging AI for data-driven economic forecasting and national health strategies, crucial elements for the GCC’s own ambitious diversification and smart nation agendas.

Vision, Grit, and Algorithms: A New Chapter in AI

Dr. Nevine’s pioneering journey wasn’t without its trials. Early in her career, she faced skepticism, not just about the viability of AI, but about her pivotal role as a woman in a male-dominated technical field. “At conferences, people questioned who I was,” she recalls. “But I kept going. I knew once I spoke, things would change.”

And they unequivocally did.

Today, Dr. Nevine is celebrated as one of the most influential voices in AI across the MENA region. Her recognition spans prestigious accolades from the Cairo Medical Syndicate, international women-in-science communities, and distinguished organizations aligned with the United Nations.

Further cementing her pioneering leadership in health informatics, Dr. Nevine chaired the groundbreaking First Arab African Conference on Oncology Informatics, bringing together experts to advance AI’s application in cancer care across two continents.

Notably, her consistent engagement with leading regional platforms, including her role as Keynote Speaker at the Oman AI Summit in 2025 and her previous invitation by the United Arab Emirates University as a Keynote Speaker at the Arab Media Summit, firmly establishes her as a cornerstone of AI thought leadership in the GCC.

Her message to young women entering technology is powerful and clear: “Believe in yourself and support one another.” She champions the vital role of women-led tech communities, advocating for global networks that amplify voices and share experiences, believing this collective strength is essential to reshaping the future of AI. “Behind every strong woman is another strong woman who believed in her,” she wisely notes.

A Vision for Global Education: Powered by AI

If granted the power to solve one global challenge with AI, Dr. Nevine’s focus would immediately turn to education. She envisions AI not just as a tool for academic improvement, but as a catalyst for holistic development, fostering personalized learning, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking skills. “If you educate people the right way, you can change the world,” she asserts. Through AI, she sees a future where tailored teaching tools empower every learner, shaping ethically and socially conscious communities.

Dr. Nevine Makram’s formidable journey is living proof that technology, when infused with visionary leadership and unwavering purpose, creates profound, meaningful, and lasting change. She has not only broken barriers and redefined roles in AI; she has empowered countless individuals and institutions across the region, not just with algorithms, but with empathy and a relentless drive for innovation.

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