< Previous20 edge_march 2024 towards technology. My father’s introduction to an old Commodore 64 ignited my curiosity and passion for coding. My father was a doctor but I found medicine unappealing and sought solace in the world of programming. The turning point came when we unearthed the ancient Commodore 64, a relic from a bygone era, and at the age of 10, I had started tinkering with the Commodore64, and soon realised the immense possibilities it held. At the age of 11, I acquired my first computer, marking the beginning of an immersive journey into computer science. During my study and discovery, I realised gaming became my gateway to explore the vast world of technology, encompassing everything from AI to computer vision. It helped me explore different factions of computer science in one place. How have you witnessed the gaming industry evolve over the past few years, especially from a technical perspective? Could you elaborate on some of the key shifts you’ve observed? The gaming industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. When I was in university, Android and IoS weren’t as common as they are today. The various generations of phones like the Symbian OS and the Windows OS, were all trying to look at different ways they could take the computer to an individual’s pocket. Most of the gaming then was on Meta’s Facebook web, and Android was just picking Meta to Sandsoft, bring the power of AI, AR/VR to gaming From Meta in the US to Sandsoft in Riyadh, bringing in technology into the gaming GAMING By Sindhu V Kashyap S audi Arabia is strategically positioning itself as a significant player in the $300 billion video games and esports sector, which transcends traditional entertainment boundaries. At the forefront of this movement is Sandsoft, headquartered in Saudi Arabia and already boasting offices in key locations such as China, Spain, and Finland. Established in 2020, Sandsoft is comprised of a team of passionate game developers who have contributed to some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history, including FIFA, Candy Crush, and Need for Speed. Recently appointed as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Ahmed Sharif brings a wealth of experience to Sandsoft, having previously led AR/VR initiatives at Meta and contributed to the technical development of acclaimed titles like Need For Speed: Heat and Horizon Worlds. Sharif’s expertise spans AR/VR technology, game development, hardware research and development, and developer platform construction. In an interview with edge/, Sharif shares insights into his transition to Sandsoft and his vision for the future of gaming as the industry continues to evolve. Could you share more details about your journey into the world of coding and gaming, especially the pivotal moments that shaped your career? My journey into coding and gaming began at a young age when I discovered a natural inclination interviewedge_march 2024 21 interview up. All systems like Flash and Java were dying, and moving to Android and IoS. It was a significant transition from traditional console gaming to mobile platforms. This shift has democratised gaming, making it more accessible to a broader audience. Additionally, the integration of technologies like AI and VR has revolutionised gaming experiences, offering unparalleled immersion and interactivity. Furthermore, the rise of web-based gaming and the subsequent migration to mobile platforms have reshaped the way games are developed, distributed, and monetised. Developers now have access to a plethora of tools and platforms to create innovative gaming experiences, catering to diverse audiences worldwide. How was the journey to Meta? It was a long journey to Meta, I founded my company and built a game. While the game wasn’t great, what got us an exit was the backend technology. It was one of the first games that had a cross-play between Android and IoS players. My forte has been graphics and engine programming, this got me an entry into Sony, where I was responsible for PlayStation 4 and PS VR. It was my first real experience working in VR. It was before Occulus was even a thing. It was eye-opening, and I built SDKs and for a long time PS VR was a great VR Headset, but it was still on a connected network. During this time I met Andrew ‘Boz’ Bosworth, Chief Technology Officer, who was then VP Facebook Reality Labs. It was Boz’s idea that we needed to build headsets without a platform or connectivity. And that idea intrigued it, and I ended up joining Meta. My background in making games and platforms, got me to focus on AR/VR at Meta. Your tenure at Meta marked a pivotal phase in your career, particularly in shaping VR and AR technologies. Could you delve deeper into your role at Meta and the impact of VR and AR beyond gaming applications? I’ve always enjoyed both building the platforms upon which games are, and also building the games themselves. As this gives me a perspective of what it takes to make a good platform to then build good experiences, and what are the limitations in the platform. This was interesting in AR/VR. It was interesting because VR has always had a bit of a curse of being viewed as a niche experience that limits to gaming. And Sony couldn’t shake that off, because PlayStation is primarily a gaming brand. At Meta, this shifted, there was a focus towards the development and advancement of VR and AR technologies, with a focus on expanding their applications beyond gaming. Products like the Meta Quest Pro, had a lot of features that were focussed on different uses. The goal was to think beyond one industry, and democratise AR/VR to different industries. This meant understanding what the needs of different industries were, and worked on software development for aerospace, medical development, transition software. It needed robust accuracy and safety measures. Sandsoft team in Riyadh “ What AI can now bring in the gaming world is more localisation than text and speech”22 edge_march 2024 After your tenure at Meta, you transitioned to Sandsoft, where you’re poised to make significant strides in the gaming industry, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. What motivated this transition, and what are your aspirations for the gaming industry in the region? My transition to Sandsoft was driven by a desire to harness the untapped potential of the MENA region in the gaming industry. Throughout my career, we always focussed on North America, Europe, Asia, and South East Asia. The MENA region was ignored, and while I never really questioned it, things changed in the second year of Meta. As someone with roots in the region, I recognised the wealth of talent and creativity waiting to be unleashed. Most of the people I worked with were from Turkey, Jordon, GCC, and I realised there was talent but limited opportunity within the region. I realised the economy in the region was booming, and the gaming development studios were receiving funding, and government support. I also realised the MENA region has the youngest population, over 70 per cent of the population is under the age of 30, and adopts technology. It was time to build the next Google out of Saudi Arabia. My goal at Sandsoft is to create a thriving gaming ecosystem that nurtures talent, fosters innovation, and elevates the region’s gaming industry to new heights. Through strategic partnerships, investments in infrastructure, and a focus on community-building, we aim to position Saudi Arabia and the MENA region as a hub for gaming excellence and innovation. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, especially with advancements like AI and Web3, how do you envision these technologies shaping the future of gaming, particularly in regions like MENA? Technology, today is a bit like the Wild West, where there is some unpredictability. Not all technology will have use cases and benefits across all sectors. There are different fields within industries that can be benefitted with technology in different ways. For some the adoption will be faster, others will be slower. Currently, the focus is on the player and game experience. For example, Web3 can act as an augmenter to a core good game play experience. To an already good game, Web3 can add NFTs, blockchains for transactions, and improve a market experience. It won’t fundamentally make the experience by itself. Similarly, with VR, you need to build an experience that already leverages VR. Now for the hot topic of the season AI, you need to realise AI has always been a part of the gaming experience – network simulation, player behaviour etc. Now it has changed the experience with content production, asset production, and community management. Today, the idea is to augment the game development experience. We have more sources of inspiration and data to test themes and quickly generate the different experiences and themes using AI. We believe that today, the phones we have in our pockets are vastly underutilised. This means making 2D mobile games are not enough. There is more room to innovate and using copycat models won’t work anymore. We are pushing the boundaries in terms of hardware that exists on people’s phones. We are looking to build triple layer experiences on the mobile. We are looking at ways to aid localisation of content. Typically games are made with some biases based on the region they are made in, and are broadly focussed on their democratisation. What AI can now bring in the gaming world is more localisation than text and speech. Saudi Arabia is deploying the most of dollars towards gaming. We can use history as an example, countries that focussed on investing in science and technology have done three things – they have created opportunity, allowed investments and provided freedom of exploration. And you see this pattern in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, where you can expect an explosive growth in the space soon. Ahmed Sharif, CTO, Sandsoft interviewatlas by Etihad Airways, home to award-winning content and read by over 1.3 million engaged readers a month Michael Underdown Commercial Director michael.underdown@itp.com +971 50 396 2115 +971 4 444 3566 To elevate your brand and connect with Etihad Airways’ passengers, contact: November 2023 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | 3332 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | November 2023 10.1632° N, 76.6413° E10.1632° N, 76.6413° E he image of palm-lined beaches and verdant rolling grasslands sloping towards the Arabian Sea is seared into my mind after a four-hour flight with Etihad Airways into Cochin International Airport, situated in the Indian state of Kerala. As we descend, I peer out of the window to the scene beneath and I’m filled with anticipation to discover a land I’ve already heard so much about. Away from the busy streets of Mumbai and crowded Delhi, Kerala offers a more laidback atmosphere, but one that is every bit as memorable. 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These women are reshaping the landscape of technology with their unparalleled vision and unwavering dedication. It underscores the transformative power of female leadership in a region traditionally marked by its male-dominated industries. Pioneers in their own right, these women inspire and will continue to reshape the region’s technological landscape with vision and dedication. As we celebrate women and their power this month, here is a list of exceptional female leaders (in no particular order) who are transforming the region’s technological landscape: ANNA CHUNG PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER - UNIT 42 PALO ALTO NETWORKS During her university days, Anna Chung pursued a course in International Affairs, with a focus on International Political Economics and a minor in Business and Chinese Literature. “While studying International Affairs, I began to recognise the parallels between international cooperation for peace and the cybersecurity sector,” said Chung. “The ability to prevent cyberattacks through research and communication fascinated me.” She believes there is a need for diversity and inclusion in workplaces especially in her field. “Cybersecurity is a field that benefits from new ideas and out-of-the-box thinking, and we need people with different backgrounds to join the industry to build a stronger and more diverse community.” Chung believes women in tech encounter multifaceted challenges, from educational barriers to navigating male-dominated professional environments. Stereotypes and societal norms often dissuade girls from pursuing STEM fields, perpetuating underrepresentation. In the workplace, gender bias in hiring and advancement, coupled with a dearth of female role models, pose significant hurdles. Advising women Chung said, “When people hear cybersecurity, they always think about mathematics, coding, and engineering. But, a job in technology demands a more robust and diverse skill set, including both hard and soft skills, welcoming people of all genders and personalities.” ROSHINA NANDRA SVP GLOBAL PRODUCT ACCELERATION ENDAVA An astrophysicist turned business innovator, Roshnina Nandra embodies a curious spirit and a belief in the power of solutions. edge_march 2024 27 feature Anke Brandts, Manager Product Management, Epson Middle East Transitioning from theoretical astrophysics to the world of business and product innovation, Nandra found herself drawn to the intersection of curiosity, technology, and human impact. “I loved the end-to-end process of identifying problems through working to solving for them — and I loved that we were hyper focused on impacting the lives of real people. It quickly became obvious that technology could play a huge role, and I found myself wanting to get closer to that. But not just technology; rather, the interplay between people and technology as a force for good.” The woman leader emphasises the importance of coaching women to assert their identities and strengths in male-dominated environments, fostering inclusivity and recognition. Nandra believes representation remains a significant obstacle for women in tech. “Changing the culture within these environments is crucial. Companies can create mentoring schemes, internal resource groups, and promote diversity in leadership to effect meaningful change” “Own your story,” urges Nandra. She encourages women to recognise the value in their career journeys, and the lessons learned and the perspectives gained along the way. Embracing curiosity and adaptability, Nandra advices against getting bogged down by uncertainties, and surround oneself with diverse mentors and remaining open to new opportunities. “In technology, it’s only ever onwards and upwards,” says Nandra. “Let curiosity guide you, stay honest, and work hard.” ANKE BRANDTS MANAGER PRODUCT MANAGEMENT EPSON MIDDLE EAST While growing up, Anke Brandts’ parents owned a small engraving and rubber stamp company. The process always intrigued her, so much so that she considered taking over the company one day. Brandts decided to investigate which degree would help her run the company better and picked print engineering. “During my university years, I was the only one who did not come from a print background, and all the technologies were completely new to me, so it was a steep, but interesting, learning curve.” In most of her roles, Brandts learnt and adapted to new technologies. “When learning about them, my main source for information was always the pre-sales person. This is because they work on the equipment and also demonstrate it to potential clients, so they know the technical background of the equipment, but they also understand the application of the end product.” Brandts believes the proportion of women in tech is slowly growing, which is exciting to see. “There are fewer barriers, so it’s more about having confidence in your abilities and being open to choosing a less traditional career path for women. There will always be a male colleague in every industry that thinks you are the PA, so ignore it and move on.” Brandts believes there needs to be more effort in getting young children, and especially adolescent girls, to be interested in technology. “It was the fascination with the final product created by the equipment that inspired my interest as a young child, so perhaps this is one way to inspire girls.” Follow your interests and embrace the fact that you will be in the minority. Allow your male peers to see you as one of the group rather than someone who needs to be treated differently, advices Brandts. 28 edge_march 2024 feature HODA MANSOUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER APJ, ME&A, IFS Hoda Mansour’s journey into the field of technology was serendipitous. A graudate from the Faculty of Engineering Architecture Department, Mansour’s dream job was to be part of its university staff, and doing research. But life had other plans, and Mansour ended up going back to school and studying Information Technology. Nevertheless, her journey working with tech companies turned out to be fascinating. And Mansour went on to hold regional and global positions in the likes of Oracle, Microsoft, SAP, and now IFS across Europe, Africa, and Asia. “This gave me a true understanding and exposure to different cultures, different priorities and really shaped my whole character.” Mansour’s ride into technology landscape however wasn’t an easy one. When she first started, she was perceived young to handle sophisticated tasks. This just pushed Mansour to master her skills, work hard, and deliver. Another challenge was navigating the corporate ladder, and being taken seriously as an African woman in STEM. “When I was appointed as Managing Director at SAP, I was the first female to have such appointment across the whole of Middle East and Africa. I have seen the doubts in many people’s eyes about the ability to turnaround the business in one of the toughest markets. I, therefore, decided to hire best talents and build a much differentiated team. We drafted a winning story as a team.” Masour believes, nowadays, women in tech have a great opportunity as they have true support from governments, multinationals, and local companies who are calling for equal opportunities for women and men, something that she did not enjoy in the beginning of her career. Women could be further supported in the work place by educational initiatives, ensure fair and transparent career progression. Mansour believes the biggest obstacle women face today is- Unconscious bias. Advising women she said- “Stick to your dreams. Technology is a great place to be now.” MERIAM EL OUAZZANI REGIONAL DIRECTOR META, SENTINELONE Meriam El Quazzani’s journey into technology was spurred by her father’s belief in her mathematical prowess, igniting a passion for problem-solving and numbers from a young age. As she went deeper into the tech world, she couldn’t ignore the gender gap and saw an opportunity to make a difference by fostering inclusivity and diversity. “Diversity fuels innovation,” says El Quazzani. “Encouraging more women in technology brings fresh perspectives and talent to the table, driving positive change.” Despite facing challenges breaking into the industry, particularly after moving to the Middle East, El Quazzani seized every opportunity to excel. She overcame gender biases and despite the lack of professional networks, she was able to secure senior roles through perseverance and proactive learning. El Quazzani believes while women are increasingly entering tech, challenges persist, including gender bias and unequal treatment. Initiatives promoting STEM education, mentorship, and inclusive workplace cultures are vital for levelling the playing field. “We need more male leaders to advocate for Hoda Mansour, Chief Operating Officer, APJ, ME&A, IFSedge_march 2024 29 feature MORGAN DEMBOSKI THREAT INTELLIGENCE ANALYST SOPHOS Though Morgan Demboski’s journey into the tech industry wasn’t by design her tenure as a cyber threat intelligence analyst at Sophos has underscored the significance of the work in protecting customers. Moving from a primarily strategic background, she shifted focus to tactical threat intelligence, honing in on behaviours and observables in cyberattacks. Demboski believes now, encouragingly, strides have been made to foster inclusivity for women in the tech industry, including tailored workshops and initiatives in cybersecurity. Continuing these efforts is pivotal in ensuring broader access for women in tech roles. She added pervasive challenge for women in technology remains the lack of representation and female role models. Despite progress, the dominance of men in leadership roles can present formidable barriers for women seeking career advancement. Advising women tech leaders she says, “It’s natural to feel apprehensive when you’re the sole woman in the room. However, expertise should always trump gender. The underrepresentation of women in cybersecurity shouldn’t hinder your career; rather, it’s an opportunity to drive positive change and pave the way for future generations. Together, we can redefine the tech industry’s landscape.” women’s advancement. Addressing pay disparities and fostering equality can create an environment where women thrive.” Advocating for equality and meritocracy, alongside transparent pay practices, is essential for creating an inclusive workplace culture. El Quazzani’s advice to aspiring women in tech is clear: pursue your passion, invest in continuous learning, and believe in your potential. Ignore skeptics, stay focused on your goals, and persevere through challenges. She advices, “Remember, the journey into technology may have its challenges, but with determination, resilience, and belief in yourself, you can carve out a successful and fulfilling career in this dynamic field.” Meriam El Ouazzani, Regional Director, META, SentinelOne Morgan Demboski, Threat intelligence analyst, SophosNext >