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Girl Decoded: A Scientist's Quest to Reclaim Our Humanity by Bringing Emotional Intelligence to Technology
In a captivating memoir, an Egyptian American visionary and scientist provides an intimate view of her personal transformation as she follows her calling—to humanize our technology and how we connect with one another.
Rana el Kaliouby is a rarity in both the tech world and her native Middle East: a Muslim woman in charge in a field that is still overwhelmingly white and male. Growing up in Egypt and Kuwait, el Kaliouby was raised by a strict father who valued tradition—yet also had high expectations for his daughters—and a mother who was one of the first female computer programmers in the Middle East. Even before el Kaliouby broke ground as a scientist, she broke the rules of what it meant to be an obedient daughter and, later, an obedient wife to pursue her own daring dream.
After earning her PhD at Cambridge, el Kaliouby, now the divorced mother of two, moved to America to pursue her mission to humanize technology before it dehumanizes us. The majority of our communication is conveyed through nonverbal cues: facial expressions, tone of voice, body language. But that communication is lost when we interact with others through our smartphones and devices. The result is an emotion-blind digital universe that impairs the very intelligence and capabilities—including empathy—that distinguish human beings from our machines.
To combat our fundamental loss of emotional intelligence online, she cofounded Affectiva, the pioneer in the new field of Emotion AI, allowing our technology to understand humans the way we understand one another. Girl Decoded chronicles el Kaliouby’s journey from being a “nice Egyptian girl” to becoming a woman, carving her own path as she revolutionizes technology. But decoding herself—learning to express and act on her own emotions—would prove to be the biggest challenge of all.
Rana el Kaliouby is a rarity in both the tech world and her native Middle East: a Muslim woman in charge in a field that is still overwhelmingly white and male. Growing up in Egypt and Kuwait, el Kaliouby was raised by a strict father who valued tradition—yet also had high expectations for his daughters—and a mother who was one of the first female computer programmers in the Middle East. Even before el Kaliouby broke ground as a scientist, she broke the rules of what it meant to be an obedient daughter and, later, an obedient wife to pursue her own daring dream.
After earning her PhD at Cambridge, el Kaliouby, now the divorced mother of two, moved to America to pursue her mission to humanize technology before it dehumanizes us. The majority of our communication is conveyed through nonverbal cues: facial expressions, tone of voice, body language. But that communication is lost when we interact with others through our smartphones and devices. The result is an emotion-blind digital universe that impairs the very intelligence and capabilities—including empathy—that distinguish human beings from our machines.
To combat our fundamental loss of emotional intelligence online, she cofounded Affectiva, the pioneer in the new field of Emotion AI, allowing our technology to understand humans the way we understand one another. Girl Decoded chronicles el Kaliouby’s journey from being a “nice Egyptian girl” to becoming a woman, carving her own path as she revolutionizes technology. But decoding herself—learning to express and act on her own emotions—would prove to be the biggest challenge of all.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2020
194 people are currently reading
4649 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
April 29, 2020
If I could have given Girl Decoded 6 stars, I would. This is my first ever book review and I felt compelled to share my thoughts about the book because it brought me so much joy. While my journey is not quite as exotic or exciting as Dr. Rana el Kaliouby’s, as a fellow technologist, entrepreneur, and parent, I was excited and moved to hear details about her life, facing many of the same struggles, insecurities, and triumphs we all encounter. The author’s description of those micro-moments that helped shape her life, and how they brought her to this place as a computer scientist, mother of two, and CEO of a leading technology company is nothing short of inspiring. If you’re hoping for some insights on Artificial Intelligence and her company’s really interesting Emotion AI technology, there’s plenty of that in there too- but this is not a technology book by any stretch.
I’m one of those readers that can easily lose interest after the first chapter, but not this book. I both read and listened to the book non-stop, and when I wasn’t reading it, I’d think about her stories throughout the day, relating them to my own life, eager to start reading it again. Girl Decoded is the perfect blend of life stories, technology, and how passion and persistence can help anyone achieve their dream. Additional tip- I enjoyed listening to the story because the author reads her own book. As such you can hear the emotion, pride, passion, disappointment, and joy in her own voice. I found this really powerful and engaging.
I’m one of those readers that can easily lose interest after the first chapter, but not this book. I both read and listened to the book non-stop, and when I wasn’t reading it, I’d think about her stories throughout the day, relating them to my own life, eager to start reading it again. Girl Decoded is the perfect blend of life stories, technology, and how passion and persistence can help anyone achieve their dream. Additional tip- I enjoyed listening to the story because the author reads her own book. As such you can hear the emotion, pride, passion, disappointment, and joy in her own voice. I found this really powerful and engaging.
August 30, 2020
Rana El Kaliouby is in many ways a trailblazer; not just in her role as a Muslim woman at the forefront of tech, but also as somebody who puts the emotional intelligence of technology at the forefront of everything she does and argues for the ability of tech to create grater equality, whether that be in the form of robots who can care for an act as companions to the elderly or educational tech which supports autistic children or provides the same opportunities which were traditionally solely available to the wealthy to everybody.
What makes Rana's story so powerful is the personal journey she had to go through to get to where she is and the fact that she had to constantly battle through peoples prejudices and doubts-including her own-to achieve success. Rana's drive for creating technology which is driven by the social value as much as the economic value it creates, in building in empathy in her technology, particularly around creating tech which is able to recognise and respond to human emotions from a diverse range of people and the ability of this to support people suffering from depression or Alzheimers and the need to innovate and experiment represents the kind of thinking which is all too often lacking in the tech world, but which we need to create in order to ensure that tech acts as an enabler for create a fairer, more equal and open world.
What makes Rana's story so powerful is the personal journey she had to go through to get to where she is and the fact that she had to constantly battle through peoples prejudices and doubts-including her own-to achieve success. Rana's drive for creating technology which is driven by the social value as much as the economic value it creates, in building in empathy in her technology, particularly around creating tech which is able to recognise and respond to human emotions from a diverse range of people and the ability of this to support people suffering from depression or Alzheimers and the need to innovate and experiment represents the kind of thinking which is all too often lacking in the tech world, but which we need to create in order to ensure that tech acts as an enabler for create a fairer, more equal and open world.
April 26, 2020
This book was such a pleasure to read. I finished reading this book in one sitting. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Indeed, I finished it so fast that I wish it were longer! Rana’s story is not only an incredible one, but one that is both relatable and inspirational, offering a unique perspective on what it means to follow one’s passion. At a time when it often seems like there is a lack of empathy and kindness in our world, Rana’s story is an important testament to the power of human emotions in connecting people from a variety of backgrounds. Indeed, this book could not have been better crafted for today’s world, as it has application to both the technology we regularly use, but also the challenges we regularly face.
This book made me reflect so much on my own personal journey as a fellow immigrant to the United States. Yet, it has also resonated with many of my friends who are not immigrants! That Girl Decoded has so much to offer to such a wide variety of readers speaks to Rana’s breath-taking storytelling abilities. She not only draws you into her fascinating childhood, but also brings you along on her incredible journey to becoming a female CEO in a male dominated space. While female empowerment is certainly an important theme in Rana’s memoir, it is by no means the only one. Girl decoded simply offers so many takeaways for women, entrepreneurs, immigrants, students, leaders, and--above all--dreamers.
Not many have the same life and experiences as Rana, and yet every single word, story, memory, recollection, experience, and lesson she offers hits home as truth. Quite frankly, I have found this book to be a moving celebration of the uniquely human capacity to emote, to feel compassion, to be empathetic. I absolutely loved how Rana’s quest for learning stuck with her throughout life, and I very much appreciated how hard she worked to achieve her goals.
I seldom write Amazon reviews. Yet, I was so inspired by Rana’s story and immediately felt the need to share my “take” on it. I very much hope you enjoy Rana’s exquisite storytelling as much as I did!
This book made me reflect so much on my own personal journey as a fellow immigrant to the United States. Yet, it has also resonated with many of my friends who are not immigrants! That Girl Decoded has so much to offer to such a wide variety of readers speaks to Rana’s breath-taking storytelling abilities. She not only draws you into her fascinating childhood, but also brings you along on her incredible journey to becoming a female CEO in a male dominated space. While female empowerment is certainly an important theme in Rana’s memoir, it is by no means the only one. Girl decoded simply offers so many takeaways for women, entrepreneurs, immigrants, students, leaders, and--above all--dreamers.
Not many have the same life and experiences as Rana, and yet every single word, story, memory, recollection, experience, and lesson she offers hits home as truth. Quite frankly, I have found this book to be a moving celebration of the uniquely human capacity to emote, to feel compassion, to be empathetic. I absolutely loved how Rana’s quest for learning stuck with her throughout life, and I very much appreciated how hard she worked to achieve her goals.
I seldom write Amazon reviews. Yet, I was so inspired by Rana’s story and immediately felt the need to share my “take” on it. I very much hope you enjoy Rana’s exquisite storytelling as much as I did!
May 1, 2021
Let me begin by saying that Rana El Kaliouby is a role model for success for any Egyptian girl, she's a great person. I read about her briefly when I got this audiobook as a gift from a friend, and I liked her so much, and after reading the book I like her even more. However, I don't like her book, let me illustrate more...
I've always hated it when someone financially able to succeed talks about success, Rana and her family are of the upper classes of Egyptian families, her parents never truly objected to her journey, yes they may have expressed their disapproval, however, there were no real attempts to stop her from pursuing her dreams. Her husband was supportive of her, he agreed to be separated from her if it meant that she does something she likes. Her mother supported her emotionally. She became emotionally independent under the care of her family. Another thing I didn't like was that she never spoke about money or finances in her book, which is the major problem for any person striving to succeed in Egypt. She was able to pursue her dreams because she never had to worry about money, again she became financially independent under the care of her family. As an Egyptian girl who wants to work in the field of AI and ML, I can talk about plenty of problems with society and my family concerning it that Rana had never mentioned having. I felt that throughout her journey, she was constantly choosing between a good situation and a better one. I'm not saying she's not successful, I'm just saying that she didn't suffer so much to achieve that success as she claims to have...
Another point I didn't like about the book was the propaganda that she made for AI and its applications, it's good to mention how much AI can help people and how varying the fields of applications can be, however, this is a biography! I felt that she was marketing for her company and that was annoying.
In the end, I didn't hate the book or the writer, I just found it annoying in some parts. The writer's style is simple and amusing to read, she's sincere and honest, I can feel her every word. I feel supportive of her, and it was inspiring to go through her journey and see how much she has grown, I hope one day I grow to be even one-tenth of the woman she's become.
I've always hated it when someone financially able to succeed talks about success, Rana and her family are of the upper classes of Egyptian families, her parents never truly objected to her journey, yes they may have expressed their disapproval, however, there were no real attempts to stop her from pursuing her dreams. Her husband was supportive of her, he agreed to be separated from her if it meant that she does something she likes. Her mother supported her emotionally. She became emotionally independent under the care of her family. Another thing I didn't like was that she never spoke about money or finances in her book, which is the major problem for any person striving to succeed in Egypt. She was able to pursue her dreams because she never had to worry about money, again she became financially independent under the care of her family. As an Egyptian girl who wants to work in the field of AI and ML, I can talk about plenty of problems with society and my family concerning it that Rana had never mentioned having. I felt that throughout her journey, she was constantly choosing between a good situation and a better one. I'm not saying she's not successful, I'm just saying that she didn't suffer so much to achieve that success as she claims to have...
Another point I didn't like about the book was the propaganda that she made for AI and its applications, it's good to mention how much AI can help people and how varying the fields of applications can be, however, this is a biography! I felt that she was marketing for her company and that was annoying.
In the end, I didn't hate the book or the writer, I just found it annoying in some parts. The writer's style is simple and amusing to read, she's sincere and honest, I can feel her every word. I feel supportive of her, and it was inspiring to go through her journey and see how much she has grown, I hope one day I grow to be even one-tenth of the woman she's become.
February 14, 2021
This biography-cum-tech update on Emotion AI turns the unease about our notion of the future of AI working against humanity around. AI is not evil but intention can be. I appreciate that the book looked at potential contributions of Emotion AI to healthcare, employment, workplace, and personal development. But one department it could also zero in on, and play an enormous role in, is social media. Plus points for emphasis on the ethics of collecting user data for machine learning, and the importance of user consent. More than introducing to readers the growing advocates of Emotion AI, and highlighting today's projects in the making, I found the biography educational for its many cultural juxtapositions between the Arab nations and the West, how it either stunts or drives progress.
With Emotion AI, empathy will soon no longer be deficient in the digital universe.
With Emotion AI, empathy will soon no longer be deficient in the digital universe.
June 16, 2020
I have not rated a book with 5 stars in a very long time. But, this one really deserved it being so relatable and insightful in so many aspects. I came across this book while watching a documentary about AI which featured Rana among its interviews. It is very inspiring to see someone growing up in Egypt reaching such high level in such advanced position. It is such an inspiring story to see how hard she fought her way to success with having to live abroad alone, taking care of her newly born child and at the same time working on her PhD. She is really a living example of what it means to outgrow your dreams. It is also interesting to see through her life story how sometimes tough decisions and sacrifices have to be made according to our priorities at each stage. Decisions that end up with us gaining so much and losing so much at the same time.
The book is walking along two directions: one narrating her personal life and her journey through education, marriage and work and the other discussing her views on AI and the need for incorporation of emotional intelligence in our devices. Both were really so interesting for me. Still, I enjoyed the personal part more.
A lot of insightful ideas are preset in this book regarding how communication works between people. Stating the importance of non-verbal cues in any human interaction along with reflecting it on her life when she was married and living alone abroad stuck with texting as the only means for communication and how it affected her communication with her husband was really expressed brilliantly raising so much questions regarding long-distance relationships. This might also relate to cyber bullying because you cannot see facial expressions of other people on the other end of the screen which really undermines a lot your perception of how your words might affect them. Probably that is why people’s behavior is totally different online and offline being more toxic when it comes to throwing flaming texts in FB comments or in tweets. Most of human true communication occurs through non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language and voice fluctuations. All of is this is absent online. Probably that is part of introducing feature like emojis into texting apps in place of facial expressions and voice notes to convey the voice fluctuations providing additional information about the emotional state of the sender which is absent in the text messages. Still, it is still not even close to the face to face communication experience.
A lot of people think that being rational in your decisions means that you should set your set your emotions aside and think in terms of pure logic. But, no. It does not work his way. The emotional aspect of any decision is as important as the rational aspect and it provides insights that should not be ignored.
The book is touching on so many relatable fronts like religion, feminism, social middle-eastern culture, identity, long-distance relationships and technology of course. This is a book I am definitely going to recommend for a lot of my friends.
The main interesting idea I got from this book thought is that it is such a daunting task to integrate such emotional responses into machines because in order to program it, you will need to decode human emotions, understand how they work and transform them into lines of codes in a quest to humanize robots by converting one of the traits that we thought were human exclusive such as emotional responses into mere lines of code. So, my question is this: if we manage to convert a human trait like emotions into lines of code which means having specific human like reaction to specific stimuli each time getting the same outcome, does not this mean that we are also programmed and that we are based on some lines of code. Maybe written in a different syntax, a heavenly syntax maybe but you get the idea. And, then our quest to humanize robots becomes unintentionally a quest to dehumanize humans?
The book is walking along two directions: one narrating her personal life and her journey through education, marriage and work and the other discussing her views on AI and the need for incorporation of emotional intelligence in our devices. Both were really so interesting for me. Still, I enjoyed the personal part more.
A lot of insightful ideas are preset in this book regarding how communication works between people. Stating the importance of non-verbal cues in any human interaction along with reflecting it on her life when she was married and living alone abroad stuck with texting as the only means for communication and how it affected her communication with her husband was really expressed brilliantly raising so much questions regarding long-distance relationships. This might also relate to cyber bullying because you cannot see facial expressions of other people on the other end of the screen which really undermines a lot your perception of how your words might affect them. Probably that is why people’s behavior is totally different online and offline being more toxic when it comes to throwing flaming texts in FB comments or in tweets. Most of human true communication occurs through non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language and voice fluctuations. All of is this is absent online. Probably that is part of introducing feature like emojis into texting apps in place of facial expressions and voice notes to convey the voice fluctuations providing additional information about the emotional state of the sender which is absent in the text messages. Still, it is still not even close to the face to face communication experience.
A lot of people think that being rational in your decisions means that you should set your set your emotions aside and think in terms of pure logic. But, no. It does not work his way. The emotional aspect of any decision is as important as the rational aspect and it provides insights that should not be ignored.
The book is touching on so many relatable fronts like religion, feminism, social middle-eastern culture, identity, long-distance relationships and technology of course. This is a book I am definitely going to recommend for a lot of my friends.
The main interesting idea I got from this book thought is that it is such a daunting task to integrate such emotional responses into machines because in order to program it, you will need to decode human emotions, understand how they work and transform them into lines of codes in a quest to humanize robots by converting one of the traits that we thought were human exclusive such as emotional responses into mere lines of code. So, my question is this: if we manage to convert a human trait like emotions into lines of code which means having specific human like reaction to specific stimuli each time getting the same outcome, does not this mean that we are also programmed and that we are based on some lines of code. Maybe written in a different syntax, a heavenly syntax maybe but you get the idea. And, then our quest to humanize robots becomes unintentionally a quest to dehumanize humans?
April 27, 2020
As good as I expected from the Rana I knew in Cambridge. Although her personal story has dark times which must have been difficult to write—don't expect to be entirely comfortable all the way through—the overall message is a very positive one, in which Rana has communicated for a non-technical audience her journey of discovery through four continents, the surprising medical potential of Emotion AI and the difficult decisions they had to make to bring it to fruition without abetting state surveillance. Affectiva's main source of income has been from advertisers wanting to quantify the reactions of test audiences (with consent), but they've enabled their technology to also be used to help train people on the autism spectrum, measure surgical outcomes and—most unexpectedly—support a teenager's project to diagnose Parkinson's disease early. For some readers the most valuable thing in the book could be the hints about what the algorithms may be set to look for if Emotion AI becomes part of a job-screening process. But aside from the particular field of Emotion AI, Rana has shown what can happen when someone who wants to make a difference gets into coding—the benefits and the sacrifices. And Carol Colman's co-authoring skills blend in so well I have no idea which parts she helped with. Recommended.
May 4, 2020
Girl Decoded is truly a must read! It is about Rana's quest to "humanize technology before it dehumanizes us". Her journey to add emotion to technology is inspiring, moving and insightful and particularly so, because it is also her personal journey "to decode" her own emotions and truly embrace them. As a coach I was particularly struck by her many years of journalling in order to do so and how she harnessed the power of journalling especially during difficult times. Equally impressive is her passion to add humanity to technology which helps and supports much needed areas such as mental health, autism and Parkinson's disease. Maybe in reading this book there is an overall message to all of us to understand and embrace our emotions more to make us more resilient in these times of uncertainty. Lastly to understand more of the world of emotion in technology which will become so much part of our future.
January 17, 2023
“But that's how science gets done: with the gradual, step-by-step progress you make every day and the inevitable setbacks you learn from. You don't have to be a genius to be a scientist, but you do need
to be persistent.”
a fascinating nonfiction/memoir regarding the successes and challenges of the formation of Affectiva, an AI company focused on bringing a human aspect to technology through facial and vocal recognition. The additional lens of having a female Egyptian-Muslim CEO and writer makes the story all the more worthwhile and endearing. Rana Al Kaliouby killed it! She combines an excellent crash course in computing and business fundamentals with strong emotional points touching on being a woman in STEM, a Muslim arab trying to break traditional roles, and the importance of ethics in an increasingly tech driven world. Excellent read and made me anticipate all the amazing applications of the software but did start to drag at the 270 page mark.
to be persistent.”
a fascinating nonfiction/memoir regarding the successes and challenges of the formation of Affectiva, an AI company focused on bringing a human aspect to technology through facial and vocal recognition. The additional lens of having a female Egyptian-Muslim CEO and writer makes the story all the more worthwhile and endearing. Rana Al Kaliouby killed it! She combines an excellent crash course in computing and business fundamentals with strong emotional points touching on being a woman in STEM, a Muslim arab trying to break traditional roles, and the importance of ethics in an increasingly tech driven world. Excellent read and made me anticipate all the amazing applications of the software but did start to drag at the 270 page mark.
June 19, 2020
Just finished Rana el Kaliouby’s book, “Girl Decoded”, and would certainly recommend reading it and the Audio Version narrated by her is a gem!
The book is more than an mémoire, I like how Rana opened up about her personal life and matched important milestones of her career & life with the evolution of technology and AI.
Rana’s work sheds a light on a very important aspect that is deemed to change our entire world, and I believe that such research is very important especially in the Middle East & Africa Region where Understanding Human’s emotions and the impact of Cultural Differences in a world of AI have still a long way to go.
Impressive work Rana! Keep it up and all the best 🙏
The book is more than an mémoire, I like how Rana opened up about her personal life and matched important milestones of her career & life with the evolution of technology and AI.
Rana’s work sheds a light on a very important aspect that is deemed to change our entire world, and I believe that such research is very important especially in the Middle East & Africa Region where Understanding Human’s emotions and the impact of Cultural Differences in a world of AI have still a long way to go.
Impressive work Rana! Keep it up and all the best 🙏
April 30, 2020
I generally don't write a review, but for this one, I can't stop myself, this is really inspiring for me especially being a woman in the field of computer science, it is very motivational for all the girls across the world. I really like the idea of how technology can be infused with emotion and understanding of human emotions by computer is really amazing. I really find myself lucky to have the opportunity to read your story, thank you so much for this wonderful book.
# machineswithemotionalIntelligence
# machineswithemotionalIntelligence
February 13, 2020
I really enjoyed reading about the author's personal history. I got lost in the science part of her work. Honestly, I skipped those sections until I read about something pertaining to her personal life. I'm sure her parts about computer speak are fascinating to those who comprehend all of that, but I am not one of them. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the early read.
January 5, 2023
1.5 stars. This is one rambling book. Tbh at around 10% I already knew I probably wasn’t going to like it but I don’t like to give up on books so I managed to last the entire 300-something pages. It’s also because I’m a hater. It takes a special kind of egoism to write a book about yourself midcareer if you’re not past a certain level of fame. I guess this book would be great if you were fundamentally interested in Rana el Kaliouby as a person, but I truly was not.
The book is basically portioned like this: the first half is more or less an autobiography, up to the point she founds Affectiva/divorces her husband. The second half is all the applications of Emotion AI. There’s a bunch — from autism to recruiting to medical diagnoses. The book cannot make up its mind whether to be about Rana’s experience working through the technical problem or the technical problem itself. In these parts, it reads as a weird hybrid pitch.
The interesting part of this is that I still don’t have a great sense of what Rana el Kaliouby is like, even having read 300 pages of drivel. Maybe it’s her style but I felt that there was remarkably little introspection. The introspection that is there is quite surface level, stock almost. I wanted her to dive deeper and more cerebrally into some of the social issues she touches upon: religion, feminism (in US vs. Egypt), emotion in AI, AI ethics/surveillance, computers replacing people/labor and AI relationship. In part it feels like because she just doesn’t have very interesting takes / she doesn’t think too deeply about any of these things. She even mentions that she had no idea the Arab Spring was going to happen until it happened. And then afterward she was like oh yeah and I was really stressed for a bit but in the meantime I secured some investors for Affectiva! Kill me. I’d give her the benefit of the doubt and say it’s a quirk of the narration but this happens multiple times with ideas like personal liberty and prejudice in Middle East vs. US too so it’s like… she is not our generation’s greatest social thinker, that’s for sure. Which is fine, really! She’s a scientist first (and apparently a very very ambitious businesswoman). Maybe these are my own biases for creative nonfiction speaking, and maybe I’m too poisoned by cultural criticism ethos or whatever, but I feel that if you’re going to write and publish a whole book about yourself and you’re not a household name, you need to justify a bit why you’re doing that beyond just “I want to write about myself.” Streamlining your narrative to explore more of these issues is a way to do that.
That said, there is a joy sometimes in partaking in someone else’s solipsism, but then that person need a style that charms (cf. Elif Batuman). Neither Rana el Kaliouby’s prose nor sensibility is quite there.
This is sad, because there are so many interesting places where she could’ve dived deeper. I was especially interested in her relationship with religion, feminism, and culture. Also her whole thing about “guys… what if… we made computers EMOTIONALLY PERCEPTIVE” is just so anathema to me lmao I can’t sorry it’s psychotic. The book didn’t do a good job of convincing me that it’s important. Like just view the computer as a machine and go about your day, why do you want it to apologize for making mistakes… if you want Alexa to have EQ I’m sorry you need to go outside and touch some grass. I’m being uncharitable. I’m sure she was using Alexa as a broader perceptive-computer example. But that’s to give you a sense of the quality of metaphor/writing in this book.
That said, I got this copy for free because Affectiva was doing this huge promo with different student CS groups over 2021ish, so I guess the book’s ambitions lie more with marketing than with any literary accomplishment.
The book is basically portioned like this: the first half is more or less an autobiography, up to the point she founds Affectiva/divorces her husband. The second half is all the applications of Emotion AI. There’s a bunch — from autism to recruiting to medical diagnoses. The book cannot make up its mind whether to be about Rana’s experience working through the technical problem or the technical problem itself. In these parts, it reads as a weird hybrid pitch.
The interesting part of this is that I still don’t have a great sense of what Rana el Kaliouby is like, even having read 300 pages of drivel. Maybe it’s her style but I felt that there was remarkably little introspection. The introspection that is there is quite surface level, stock almost. I wanted her to dive deeper and more cerebrally into some of the social issues she touches upon: religion, feminism (in US vs. Egypt), emotion in AI, AI ethics/surveillance, computers replacing people/labor and AI relationship. In part it feels like because she just doesn’t have very interesting takes / she doesn’t think too deeply about any of these things. She even mentions that she had no idea the Arab Spring was going to happen until it happened. And then afterward she was like oh yeah and I was really stressed for a bit but in the meantime I secured some investors for Affectiva! Kill me. I’d give her the benefit of the doubt and say it’s a quirk of the narration but this happens multiple times with ideas like personal liberty and prejudice in Middle East vs. US too so it’s like… she is not our generation’s greatest social thinker, that’s for sure. Which is fine, really! She’s a scientist first (and apparently a very very ambitious businesswoman). Maybe these are my own biases for creative nonfiction speaking, and maybe I’m too poisoned by cultural criticism ethos or whatever, but I feel that if you’re going to write and publish a whole book about yourself and you’re not a household name, you need to justify a bit why you’re doing that beyond just “I want to write about myself.” Streamlining your narrative to explore more of these issues is a way to do that.
That said, there is a joy sometimes in partaking in someone else’s solipsism, but then that person need a style that charms (cf. Elif Batuman). Neither Rana el Kaliouby’s prose nor sensibility is quite there.
This is sad, because there are so many interesting places where she could’ve dived deeper. I was especially interested in her relationship with religion, feminism, and culture. Also her whole thing about “guys… what if… we made computers EMOTIONALLY PERCEPTIVE” is just so anathema to me lmao I can’t sorry it’s psychotic. The book didn’t do a good job of convincing me that it’s important. Like just view the computer as a machine and go about your day, why do you want it to apologize for making mistakes… if you want Alexa to have EQ I’m sorry you need to go outside and touch some grass. I’m being uncharitable. I’m sure she was using Alexa as a broader perceptive-computer example. But that’s to give you a sense of the quality of metaphor/writing in this book.
That said, I got this copy for free because Affectiva was doing this huge promo with different student CS groups over 2021ish, so I guess the book’s ambitions lie more with marketing than with any literary accomplishment.
May 5, 2020
I was truly riveted and captivated by Rana's personal and professional journey. As a woman co-founder I can personally relate to the obstacles and challenges that she endured to see her dream come to fruition. I connected with her on so many fronts - especially motherhood. I am not a computer science person but you do not need to be to relate to this fascinating field of emotional AI. There is so much humanity in this technology that I truly hope it is always used to further benevolence and connection in our device-driven society. Rana's ability to share her deepest emotions with the reader really brings you into her life. Her vulnerability in telling her story allows the reader to connect with her experiences and you find yourself rooting for her the whole way. The sacrifices she makes to follow her vision and dream were inspiring to me. I found myself researching emotional AI after each read, the positive impact emotive AI can have on our world seems limitless. I hope to be hearing about Affectiva and its impact on the world for a long time.
April 30, 2020
This is one exceptional book! A very emotional yet very inspiring read. I actually finished the book in one day!
This book powerfully highlights Rana's story, back when she was a kid in the middle east, to her college and study days, all the way to how she founded her own company. It reflects on all the mixed emotions she had through out her personal and career life, and how these emotions helped her reach what she is today. Though it is very richly developed and written, it also touches you to the core. You can feel her in every chapter of the book. You can definitely relate at times, and you will definitely get inspired all the way.
This book sends a very powerful message to everyone; if you have a dream, stick to it! You will eventually make it happen. No matter how challenging it can be at times, with a lot of positivity, hard-work and persistence you will get there!
I totally recommend this book! An excellent read! You will enjoy every bit of it.
This book powerfully highlights Rana's story, back when she was a kid in the middle east, to her college and study days, all the way to how she founded her own company. It reflects on all the mixed emotions she had through out her personal and career life, and how these emotions helped her reach what she is today. Though it is very richly developed and written, it also touches you to the core. You can feel her in every chapter of the book. You can definitely relate at times, and you will definitely get inspired all the way.
This book sends a very powerful message to everyone; if you have a dream, stick to it! You will eventually make it happen. No matter how challenging it can be at times, with a lot of positivity, hard-work and persistence you will get there!
I totally recommend this book! An excellent read! You will enjoy every bit of it.
April 23, 2020
I read this book in a single sitting and found so much meaning in the story. Rana el Kaliouby's story of growing up in the Middle East, and relentlessly chasing her dreams as they led her across the world, was inspiring. Personally, as a young woman who started my career several years ago, it was really encouraging to read about a strong woman who's defied cultural/gender norms to become a leader in a male-dominated industry. I also appreciated the sense of hope in the future of technology... so often we read about the potential for tech like artificial intelligence to take over humanity or replace us. But the AI that the author is building shows how these technologies could have a really positive impact on us. I recommend this book for anyone curious about the future of tech or anyone who needs a little encouragement to carve their own path!
May 4, 2020
Rana el Kaliouby reveals her incredible and beautiful story about her lifetime pursuit to fuse emotional intelligence with technology, chronicling decades of determination, courage, fortitude, family, world cultures and life lessons to which anyone can both relate and come away inspired.
Girl Decoded both entertains and educates with a heart, transparency, humbleness and humor that is all too rare inside a single person in this world. In ingenious form, it makes the too-often complex topics of the science and technology of artificial intelligence accessible to virtually any reader and relates it to our everyday lives, both present and near-future.
Such a fun and captivating read. Finished it in just a few days.
Girl Decoded both entertains and educates with a heart, transparency, humbleness and humor that is all too rare inside a single person in this world. In ingenious form, it makes the too-often complex topics of the science and technology of artificial intelligence accessible to virtually any reader and relates it to our everyday lives, both present and near-future.
Such a fun and captivating read. Finished it in just a few days.
April 29, 2020
Girl Decoded is a fantastic memoir that very openly captures the highs, the lows, and the nuances of Rana's journey growing up as an Egyptian woman, mother, co-founder of her company, CEO, and thought leader in affective computing/emotional AI . Throughout her story, you witness how Rana's uncanny faith in her vision combined with those she inspires whom champion for her success are able to overcome obstacles and achieve breakthroughs. An excellent read and I also highly recommend it for those who have working spouses/partners in tech and or starting their own businesses.
April 30, 2020
Girl Decoded was an inspiration, not only as Rana’s mother but as an Arab Woman who also tried to defy status quo and challenge traditions and norms to embrace my own calling. Every word, every story especially in the first chapters, took me back in time to the place where they happened. Rana has managed to capture her journey perfectly in her memoir, finding her voice along the way. I hope it inspires others too.
April 25, 2020
An interesting story about the life of a scientist, entrepreneur and a thought leader in a very uncommon set of circumstances. The story is very well written in a way that's very engaging. I couldn't help but visualize all the story as it unfolded.
On the tech side, it was a very simple explanation to a complicated subject. It gives a lot of hope in how tech can be used for social good.
On the tech side, it was a very simple explanation to a complicated subject. It gives a lot of hope in how tech can be used for social good.
May 1, 2020
No technical background is necessary to appreciate the descriptions of coding and algorithms, because the writing is fluent and the analogies are taken from daily experience. This is not only the story of one extraordinary woman. It's also a riveting look into the ways emotional intelligence can change the way we interact with our devices and ultimately with each other
April 29, 2020
A brilliant book by an extremely talented author. Rana could so flawlessly envision technology with feelings and emotions. A journey that blows your mind away.
A very talented Egyptian who could simply decode Artificial Intelligence into human feelings.
Congratulations! A real blessed success
A very talented Egyptian who could simply decode Artificial Intelligence into human feelings.
Congratulations! A real blessed success
May 4, 2020
I just finished Girl Decoded!! I absolutely loved it.
I was truly inspired by your story on so many levels. I really wish I could convince certain members in my family to read it to challenge their perceptions, and I will try to do so.
I was truly inspired by your story on so many levels. I really wish I could convince certain members in my family to read it to challenge their perceptions, and I will try to do so.
April 26, 2020
Loved this book so much!
May 4, 2020
The role model I have been looking for, thank you Rana!
Read
May 11, 2020I recently read Dr. El Kaliouby’s memoir, “Girl Decoded”. I recommend you read it also. If you have already read it then re-read it, like I have. About a fifth of the way into the book Dr. El Kaliouby wrote about “imagining the world not as it is but as it will be.” Something grabbed my attention about this passage, so I did something I rarely do when reading. I started the book anew with that line as my navigator. I came to realize that Dr. El Kaliouby, a computer scientist, entrepreneur and CEO, wrote a book imagining how the world could be. Her tool to make this happen -emotional artificial intelligence (AI).
Several examples of this stood out for me in the book. As a young adult, and prior to the spark that led her down the path of emotional AI, she wanted to “create something that would transform people’s lives.” After cracking the algorithmic code that allowed computers to read facial expressions and then turning her technology into a business – she encouraged others to use her code to help transform lives. Her code can be found in applications to prevent suicide, help autistic children, and diagnosis and treat neuromuscular disorders.
Her wonderous explanations of how emotional AI can affect our lives are accessible to the non-scientist and delightful to read. One particular talk she gave at Cambridge University with her back to the audience will leave you laughing and amazed at her ability to communicate to both experts and laypersons effortlessly.
Writing about a world “that could be” takes on a very personal tone in this book. From early on we accompany her on her journey to become the person she could be. We are present as she transforms not only professionally but both personally and spiritually. These transformations converge nicely towards the end of the book when she describes a Ramadan party she hosted inviting fellow Muslims and people of other faiths to break bread together. Dr. El Kaliouby’s view of a world that “could be” is not just a place where technology is humanized it is a world that is more humane.
If you have not read this book, I recommend you read it. If you have already read it and have been inspired by Dr. El Kaliouby reread it and be inspired anew.
Several examples of this stood out for me in the book. As a young adult, and prior to the spark that led her down the path of emotional AI, she wanted to “create something that would transform people’s lives.” After cracking the algorithmic code that allowed computers to read facial expressions and then turning her technology into a business – she encouraged others to use her code to help transform lives. Her code can be found in applications to prevent suicide, help autistic children, and diagnosis and treat neuromuscular disorders.
Her wonderous explanations of how emotional AI can affect our lives are accessible to the non-scientist and delightful to read. One particular talk she gave at Cambridge University with her back to the audience will leave you laughing and amazed at her ability to communicate to both experts and laypersons effortlessly.
Writing about a world “that could be” takes on a very personal tone in this book. From early on we accompany her on her journey to become the person she could be. We are present as she transforms not only professionally but both personally and spiritually. These transformations converge nicely towards the end of the book when she describes a Ramadan party she hosted inviting fellow Muslims and people of other faiths to break bread together. Dr. El Kaliouby’s view of a world that “could be” is not just a place where technology is humanized it is a world that is more humane.
If you have not read this book, I recommend you read it. If you have already read it and have been inspired by Dr. El Kaliouby reread it and be inspired anew.
May 5, 2020
I really enjoyed reading Girl Decoded: it's such a captivating story of self-discovery, leadership and technology innovation, and I found the different themes of the book very inspiring.
First of all, this is Rana el Kaliouby’s life story, from growing up as a “nice Egyptian girl” to becoming one of few women founding and leading an Artificial Intelligence company. As a scientist turned entrepreneur, a Muslim-American and technology thought leader, el Kaliouby is a very welcome new voice in the technology industry … an industry known to lack in diversity. Her story is one of self-discovery and will resonate greatly with anyone who has struggled to find their voice.
Also, the book is an exploration of innovation in technology. El Kaliouby talks about Affectiva, the company she co-founded, and about its mission to humanize technology. She describes how she created artificial emotional intelligence (she calls this Emotion AI) and explores the many transformative applications of this very new technology. I appreciate how she, very openly, describes the challenges in creating ethical technology and what she and her company are doing towards that.
I think this book will speak to both young people embarking on their careers and personal growth, as well as seasoned business leaders who might be jaded and need a fresh perspective on leadership.
First of all, this is Rana el Kaliouby’s life story, from growing up as a “nice Egyptian girl” to becoming one of few women founding and leading an Artificial Intelligence company. As a scientist turned entrepreneur, a Muslim-American and technology thought leader, el Kaliouby is a very welcome new voice in the technology industry … an industry known to lack in diversity. Her story is one of self-discovery and will resonate greatly with anyone who has struggled to find their voice.
Also, the book is an exploration of innovation in technology. El Kaliouby talks about Affectiva, the company she co-founded, and about its mission to humanize technology. She describes how she created artificial emotional intelligence (she calls this Emotion AI) and explores the many transformative applications of this very new technology. I appreciate how she, very openly, describes the challenges in creating ethical technology and what she and her company are doing towards that.
I think this book will speak to both young people embarking on their careers and personal growth, as well as seasoned business leaders who might be jaded and need a fresh perspective on leadership.
July 13, 2020
Inspirational, Hopeful & Motivating
I read this book in one sitting - I could not put it down! Rana's story of overcoming her self doubt and kicking that naysayer voice to the curb is one that resonated with me very deeply. I've struggled in my life to speak up and to trust myself and exude that confidence that I know I should; Girl Decoded was a beautiful reminder to believe in yourself, ask for what you want and forge your own unique path. One of my favorite quotes of all time is a Ralph Waldo Emerson one (I have it in several places around my house actually) and it goes "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail". Girl Decoded is an embodiment of that quote and left me feeling encouraged and motivated. In the book, Rana recounts her transformation from a "nice Egyptian girl" to strong woman CEO, a leader and visionary in a mostly male-dominated field and it gave me hope that you don't have to accept things the way they are if you have a better vision for the future. If you want to feel inspired, motivated and hopeful, buy a copy of Girl Decoded. It will leave you energized to go grab a seat at the table, and if there isn't one, create your own! :)
I read this book in one sitting - I could not put it down! Rana's story of overcoming her self doubt and kicking that naysayer voice to the curb is one that resonated with me very deeply. I've struggled in my life to speak up and to trust myself and exude that confidence that I know I should; Girl Decoded was a beautiful reminder to believe in yourself, ask for what you want and forge your own unique path. One of my favorite quotes of all time is a Ralph Waldo Emerson one (I have it in several places around my house actually) and it goes "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail". Girl Decoded is an embodiment of that quote and left me feeling encouraged and motivated. In the book, Rana recounts her transformation from a "nice Egyptian girl" to strong woman CEO, a leader and visionary in a mostly male-dominated field and it gave me hope that you don't have to accept things the way they are if you have a better vision for the future. If you want to feel inspired, motivated and hopeful, buy a copy of Girl Decoded. It will leave you energized to go grab a seat at the table, and if there isn't one, create your own! :)
April 18, 2020
Rana takes us through her personal journey as a girl, woman, student, wife, mother, academic, professional, and eventually CEO. I ended up reading this in two spurts, intrigued by Rana's unique upbring and perspective, her curiousity and impact in the world of technology.
As a mother of a child who has autism and an IT professional, I found the personal and scientific parts of Rana's life -as well as where they intersect - to resonate. The applications of her research and later start-ups are wide in their range. This is a great read for anyone with a technology background!
Thank you to Netgalley and Currency for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As a mother of a child who has autism and an IT professional, I found the personal and scientific parts of Rana's life -as well as where they intersect - to resonate. The applications of her research and later start-ups are wide in their range. This is a great read for anyone with a technology background!
Thank you to Netgalley and Currency for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2020
Extremely interesting and enlightening
When I first read Girl Decoded, it was the first time I see a women in three roles, a tech pioneer, a wife/mother and a rebel.
Just like all of us, Rana is multifaceted and managed to capture the rational, the emotional and the creative sides with Girl Decoded. The way she frames her journey to humanizing technology while understanding and unlocking herself is inspiring.
One of my favorite things she says “People typically talk about having dreams and spending their life chasing that dream, but people seldom talk about outgrowing their dream.”
-That is all you need to know. Read the preview & get the book.
When I first read Girl Decoded, it was the first time I see a women in three roles, a tech pioneer, a wife/mother and a rebel.
Just like all of us, Rana is multifaceted and managed to capture the rational, the emotional and the creative sides with Girl Decoded. The way she frames her journey to humanizing technology while understanding and unlocking herself is inspiring.
One of my favorite things she says “People typically talk about having dreams and spending their life chasing that dream, but people seldom talk about outgrowing their dream.”
-That is all you need to know. Read the preview & get the book.
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