Ilhème Ghalamallah, PhD
AI & Innovation — From Vision to Execution | Enterprise AI Governance | AI Digital Transformation Leader | GCC & EMEA
Professional Summary
Ilhème Ghalamallah is an AI transformation leader with a rare combination of scientific expertise, strategic execution, and cross-regional influence. With over 15 years of experience across Europe and the Middle East, she enables organizations to move from vision to execution — embedding AI into governance, operating models, and culture to deliver measurable business impact. She partners with governments, sovereign funds, and enterprises to ensure AI becomes a sustainable driver of growth and competitiveness.
Key Expertise & Skills
- AI Strategy & Enterprise Governance
- Digital Transformation Leadership
- C-Level Advisory & Executive Alignment
- ROI-Driven Innovation & Acceleration
- Capability Building & Knowledge Transfer
Career Journey & Highlights
- PhD in Big Data & AI Analytics ; 22+ scientific publications ; 5 years as professor & researcher in France
- Co-founded one of the first AI startups in France ; deployed France’s first AI mailbot (96% accuracy, 2012)
- Natixis Innovation Award (2014) & Argus d’Or Insurance Award (2015)
- Led and won first AI POC against IBM Watson at Société Générale (2017)
- Directed analytics initiatives for Western Europe & Nordics at NICE (2019–2024)
- Since 2024 : AI Innovation Partner for major financial institutions in UAE, KSA, Bahrain
Projects & Achievement
- SPERO – Co-founded in Dubai (2024) : conversational analytics platform democratizing decision-making ; MVP delivered ; regional pilot planned for Sept 2025
- Alpha Omega AI Consulting – Accelerating AI adoption while building in-country expertise for long-term autonomy and AI sovereignty
- Acts as a force multiplier for national strategies such as UAE National AI Strategy 2031 and Saudi Vision 2030
Education & Certifications
- PhD in Big Data & AI Analytics, 2009
Languages & Global Reach
Engagement with public and private sector institutions at executive level
Professional experience across Europe and the Middle East