About Me
I am an AI Scientist and Director based in Dubai with over 15 years of experience designing, deploying, and governing machine learning systems across education, finance, and regulated environments. I hold a PhD in Business Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University in the United States, along with two master's degrees from George Washington University and the Catholic University of America, all earned in Washington, D.C.
My work bridges the gap between advanced analytics and real-world impact. At ASI, I lead AI strategy across a national ed-tech platform serving over 300,000 users, building classification, forecasting, and NLP models that process terabytes of structured, conversational, financial, and multimodal data. I architect systems from research through production, including drift monitoring, controlled rollbacks, and batch retraining pipelines.
I combine executive accountability with hands-on Python implementation. Whether it is building a predictive model from scratch, designing a graduate-level analytics curriculum, or advising billion-AED investment decisions through data-driven analysis, I approach each challenge with rigour, clarity, and a commitment to measurable outcomes.
I am a UAE national and was also selected to teach a graduate-level Text Analytics course at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I designed the full syllabus and assessment framework covering supervised and unsupervised modelling techniques.
At a Glance
Current Role
Director & AI Scientist at ASI
Leading AI strategy for a national ed-tech platform
Education
PhD + 2 Master's + BS
All from top US universities in Washington, D.C. & Virginia
Experience
15+ Years
ML, NLP, data science, analytics & teaching
Location
Dubai, UAE
UAE National (Emiratisation)
Professional Experience
ASI (Artificial Specialized Intelligence)
- Lead AI strategy and execution across a national ed-tech platform serving 300,000+ users with sustained 70% retention
- Designed and operationalised ML pipelines processing terabytes of structured, conversational, financial, and multimodal lecture data
- Built classification, forecasting, and NLP models using a structured baseline-to-complexity methodology, optimising bias–variance trade-offs
- Integrated ML outputs directly into backend systems with scheduled batch retraining and controlled parallel deployments
- Established drift monitoring protocols with controlled rollback to last stable model when deviation exceeded thresholds
- Conducted exploratory data analysis across diverse domains including curriculum analytics, AI-student interactions, billion-AED investment datasets, and biological health data
SARA Group Holdings
- Designed predictive analytics and segmentation models across multi-location retail and FMCG operations
- Developed demand forecasting and optimisation models using structured transactional datasets
- Delivered executive dashboards translating complex analytics into actionable KPIs for capital allocation
- Conducted ROI-driven statistical analysis supporting strategic investment decisions
Independent Data Science Consultant
- Designed and implemented machine learning solutions for public-sector and regulated environments
- Conducted end-to-end ML lifecycle execution: EDA, feature engineering, model training, hyperparameter optimisation, and validation
- Developed modular Python-based analytical frameworks for reusable deployment
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Selected and formally approved to deliver a graduate-level Text Analytics course within the School of Business
- Designed full syllabus, case studies, and applied Python-based analytics curriculum covering supervised and unsupervised modelling
- Developed assessment framework emphasising model evaluation and performance interpretation
Education
Business Information Systems GPA 3.53
Research-intensive doctoral program with coursework in advanced statistical methods, text mining, ontologies, semantic systems, and qualitative/quantitative research design. Included comprehensive qualifying examinations and original dissertation research defended before a faculty committee.
Information Systems Technology GPA 3.74
Graduate program in the School of Business covering databases, programming, telecom/enterprise networks, information security, human-computer interaction, internet computing, management of technology & innovation, and integrated information systems (capstone).
Human Resource Management GPA 3.70
Graduate studies in the Metropolitan School of Professional Studies covering HR management, organisational theory & behaviour, leadership, compensation & benefits, training & development, and strategic planning.
Business Administration (Information Systems & Marketing)
Kogod School of Business undergraduate program with dual focus in information systems and marketing. Foundation in business, technology, and analytical thinking.
Understanding the US Doctoral Degree (PhD)
The title "Dr." in front of my name signifies a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — an academic research doctorate, distinct from a medical degree (MD). My PhD was earned in the United States, where the doctoral process is notably different from other countries:
US PhD (my degree)
- ✓ 5–8 years of full-time study
- ✓ 2–3 years of advanced graduate coursework
- ✓ Comprehensive qualifying examinations
- ✓ Original research & dissertation
- ✓ Public defence before a faculty committee
- ✓ Often includes teaching responsibilities
UK / Australian PhD
- • 3–4 years typically
- • Primarily research-only (minimal coursework)
- • Research proposal reviewed at entry
- • Thesis & viva voce (oral exam)
- • Generally no qualifying exams
- • Teaching is optional, not required
Both paths produce legitimate doctoral graduates. The US model requires a broader academic foundation through coursework and examinations before the research phase, resulting in a longer but more structured journey. In both cases, "Dr." denotes the highest academic qualification — it is not a medical title.
Core Expertise & Technologies
Machine Learning
Supervised Learning Unsupervised Learning Classification Forecasting Ensemble Models Deep LearningNLP & Text Analytics
TF-IDF Dense Embeddings Text Mining Ontologies Semantic SystemsStatistical Modelling
Hypothesis Testing Multivariate Analysis Feature Engineering Dimensionality ReductionML Operations
Model Validation Cross-Validation Drift Detection Production Deployment Rollback StrategiesData Engineering
Class Imbalance (SMOTE) Bias-Variance Optimisation Real-Time Processing Batch ProcessingTechnologies
Python Pandas NumPy Scikit-learn SQL Git AWS Azure Power BI TableauCertifications
- CIO University – Federal Executive Competencies
- NSTISSI-4011 – Information Systems Security
- CITI – Research Ethics & Compliance
CV & Documents
About My CV
My CV covers my full professional experience including my current roles as Director & AI Scientist at ASI and Senior Data & Analytics Advisor at SARA Group Holdings, my independent consulting work, my academic teaching appointment, and my complete educational background from four US universities.
For a quick conversation, the best way to reach me is via email at yys.alhashemi@gmail.com.
Dashboards
Personal analytics dashboards. Password-protected.