We are living in a time when technology is evolving at a pace that seems almost beyond imagination. Every day, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence are reshaping industries, creating opportunities, and challenging our understanding of what’s possible. It’s a moment in history where the line between science fiction and reality is blurring, and the individuals leading this change are not just shaping the future—they’re defining it. But amid all the excitement and innovation, there’s a critical question: how do we ensure that this incredible technology serves humanity in a meaningful way?
This is where Mohammed Ziyad comes in. With a deep understanding of AI and a commitment to using it responsibly, he is dedicated to making sure that technology doesn’t just move forward, but moves forward with purpose.
Mohammed Ziyad’s career trajectory has been shaped by a deep-seated passion for technology, an unwavering drive for innovation, and a commitment to continuous learning. From his foundational role as a Software Developer to his current position as Head of Innovation and AI Development at ZODE_SA, Mohammed has demonstrated exceptional leadership in integrating cutting-edge AI solutions into the e-commerce sector and insurance sectors.
Transformative Tech Journey
Mohammed’s journey in technology began at Magdi Zidan Establishment, where he honed his skills as a Software Developer. This role provided him with a solid foundation in software engineering principles, coding practices, and the software development lifecycle. He gained proficiency in various programming languages and platforms, setting the stage for his future endeavors in digital transformation and AI.
At Khyrocom Association, he transitioned into a leadership role, managing small teams and software projects. This experience cultivated his interest in project management and highlighted the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and leadership in delivering successful software solutions.
Mohammed’s tenure as Senior Software Developer at Al-Almiah Group allowed him to further enhance his technical expertise while taking on larger, more complex projects. His ability to manage project scope, resources, and timelines while motivating teams ensured the successful delivery of multiple initiatives.
The turning point in Mohammed’s career came during his time at United Cooperative Assurance (UCA). As Manager of Software Development & AI, he led the company’s digital transformation efforts, overseeing the implementation of advanced technologies, including E-Sign, Appian BPM, MuleSoft, ABBYY OCR, and UiPath RPA. These initiatives improved efficiency, transformed business processes, and enhanced customer experiences.
Mohammed also delved into AI during his time at UCA, designing and developing AI-powered solutions using machine learning, LLMs, and NLP. This hands-on experience fueled his passion for AI and solidified his belief in its transformative potential across industries.
Today, as Head of Innovation and AI Development at ZODE_SA, Mohammed leads a team of over 14 talented IT engineers. His responsibilities encompass a broad range of activities, all underpinned by his expertise in AI and digital transformation:
Driving AI Innovation: Spearheading the integration of AI across ZODE_SA’s e-commerce platform, including AI-powered solutions for image processing, bad word recognition, marketing automation, personalized product recommendations, and search optimization.
Leading Full-Stack Development: Overseeing front-end and back-end software development, mobile app development, and database management to ensure seamless integration of AI capabilities across the platform.
Cloud Infrastructure Management: Managing Huawei Cloud infrastructure to optimize performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness while leveraging cloud-native AI/ML services.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing big data analytics and visualization to derive actionable insights for AI model development, business strategy, and platform optimization.
Implementing DevOps Best Practices: Championing CI/CD pipelines to accelerate software delivery and enable continuous deployment of AI-powered features.
Fostering Innovation: Promoting an Agile culture that encourages collaboration, experimentation, and rapid adaptation to evolving market dynamics.
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Mohammed’s dedication to lifelong learning has been instrumental in his professional growth. He has obtained certifications in Project Management (PMP), Appian Development, and Microsoft Solutions Development, as well as completed courses in Strategic Leadership, Agile methodologies, and Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Mohammed’s career has been shaped by transformative experiences that define his vision for the future of AI and digital transformation in Saudi Arabia and globally. Leading UCA’s digital transformation taught him that true innovation involves reimagining business models and customer experiences, not just adopting new technologies. His hands-on work in AI development, including machine learning and NLP, reinforced his belief in AI’s power to revolutionize industries through automation and enhanced decision-making.
By implementing hyper-automation techniques and building high-performing, diverse teams, Mohammed demonstrated the critical role of efficiency, collaboration, and innovation in driving technological advancements. His dedication to continuous learning underscores his commitment to staying at the forefront of evolving technologies.
Mohammed envisions a future where AI-powered businesses leverage automation for efficiency, adopt human-centered AI responsibly, and rely on data-driven decision-making. He advocates for fostering a culture of continuous innovation to adapt to the ever-changing technological landscape, ensuring a global impact beyond Saudi Arabia.
Conquering the Competitive E-commerce Landscape
Mohammed envisions ZODE_SA as a leading e-commerce platform in Saudi Arabia and beyond, distinguished by its innovative technology, AI-driven personalization, and customer-centric approach. The platform aligns with global digital transformation trends, focusing on AI-powered personalization to deliver tailored experiences through features like product recommendations, targeted marketing, and AI chatbots.
ZODE_SA embraces hyper-automation to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and ensure security with AI-powered systems for order fulfillment, fraud detection, and predictive maintenance. Leveraging data-driven decision-making, the platform utilizes AI analytics for customer segmentation, market trend analysis, and operational optimization.
Built on Huawei Cloud, ZODE_SA ensures scalability and resilience, capable of handling peak traffic and accessing advanced cloud technologies. With a customer-centric approach, the platform emphasizes user-friendly design, personalized support, and loyalty-building initiatives. Mohammed’s vision for ZODE_SA is underpinned by a commitment to continuous innovation, adapting to evolving technologies and consumer needs to stay ahead in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
At the Vanguard of E-Commerce Innovation
Mohammed led the implementation of a transformative internal product search system at ZODE_SA, utilizing Google Vertex AI for Retail. This project addressed challenges such as irrelevant search results, high bounce rates, and lost revenue due to ineffective search functionalities. By meticulously preparing data, training custom AI models, and integrating the solution into the e-commerce platform, the team enhanced keyword search accuracy, prioritized in-stock products, and introduced personalized recommendations. The initiative achieved significant improvements in search accuracy, customer satisfaction, and conversion rates, resulting in boosted engagement and revenue. Continuous monitoring, collaboration with Google Cloud, and a user-centric approach were pivotal to the project’s success.
Mohammed’s leadership philosophy emphasizes servant leadership, continuous learning, and fostering a culture of innovation. He prioritizes empowering his team by providing resources and mentorship, encouraging collaboration, and supporting professional growth. His approach includes clear communication of goals, celebrating successes, and learning from setbacks.
To inspire innovation, Mohammed advocates for a vision-driven approach, challenging goals, and autonomy for team members. He recognizes and rewards creativity while leading by example, staying updated with the latest trends in AI and digital transformation.
Pioneer of AI and Digital Transformation
Mohammed’s career has been characterized by a steadfast commitment to leveraging technology to drive meaningful change and achieve exceptional business outcomes. At UCA, he has made significant contributions to AI and digital transformation, achieving notable milestones:
Driving UCA’s Digital Transformation:
Mohammed established a high-performing IT department of over 33 skilled engineers, fostering innovation and reducing dependency on external vendors. He led the development of Peregrine, an advanced core insurance system that streamlined operations, from policy issuance to claims processing, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction. Additionally, he spearheaded the creation of unified digital portals, delivering seamless online experiences for retail customers, corporate clients, and partners.
Establishing the AI Hub as an Innovation Catalyst:
Mohammed developed a cutting-edge AI platform integrating advanced technologies such as generative AI, machine learning, NLP, and a vector database. Under his leadership, the AI Hub introduced innovative solutions, including an Insurance Assistant Bot, intelligent document processing tools, and data-driven insights that optimized decision-making. These initiatives delivered measurable results, such as improved operational efficiency, enhanced customer experiences, and cost reductions.
Earning Industry Recognition:
Mohammed’s contributions were instrumental in UCA winning the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024. His efforts also contributed to UCA being recognized among the top 500 companies in the Arab world by revenue, highlighting the transformative impact of his initiatives on the organization’s success.
Mohammed encountered a significant challenge in his career related to resistance to change when introducing AI and digital transformation initiatives. Employees often expressed hesitancy, fearing job displacement or struggling to adapt to new technologies and processes. To address this, Mohammed employed a comprehensive strategy:
Open Communication and Transparency: He ensured stakeholders were well-informed, clearly articulating the benefits of transformation and addressing concerns proactively.
Empowering Employees: Mohammed emphasized that the purpose of digital transformation was to enhance, not replace, human contributions. He implemented reskilling and upskilling programs to help employees adapt to new technologies.
Demonstrating Value: By showcasing early successes in AI projects, such as improved efficiency and cost savings, he built trust and confidence in the initiatives.
Strong Internal Communication: He developed a robust communication strategy to keep employees updated, address concerns, and celebrate milestones.
Fostering Innovation: Mohammed cultivated a culture of innovation, encouraging employees to embrace new technologies and actively participate in the transformation journey.
Through these efforts, Mohammed successfully overcame resistance, gained organizational buy-in, and led the effective implementation of AI-driven innovations.
Steering Saudi Arabia’s Digital Future
Over the next five years, AI is set to transform various sectors in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the nation’s Vision 2030 goals. Key trends include AI-powered government services, economic diversification through AI adoption in sectors like tourism and healthcare, and AI-driven business innovations across industries. The development of AI talent and the establishment of frameworks for ethical AI use will also play a critical role.
ZODE_SA is well-positioned to lead in AI-driven e-commerce transformation in Saudi Arabia. The company can enhance personalized shopping experiences, streamline operations through hyper-automation, leverage predictive analytics for demand forecasting, and develop innovative AI-powered services such as virtual assistants and augmented reality experiences. By fostering a culture of AI innovation, ZODE_SA can contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy while strengthening its own business performance.
Roadmap to Sustainable Digital Transformation
To integrate AI effectively and create sustainable and impactful digital transformations, Mohammed suggests that organizations adopt several key strategies, based on his extensive experience in AI and digital transformation:
Align AI Strategy with Business Goals: Mohammed emphasizes the importance of aligning AI initiatives with specific business challenges and overarching strategic goals, such as improving customer experience, optimizing operations, or creating new revenue streams. He highlights his work at UCA, where AI projects like the AI Hub were directly tied to addressing business needs such as streamlining processes and enhancing customer service.
Prioritize Data Quality and Management: According to Mohammed, AI relies heavily on quality data. He advises organizations to invest in robust data infrastructure for collection, storage, cleaning, and processing, alongside establishing data governance frameworks to ensure data quality and accessibility. His experience with data integration across various UCA projects, including the Insurance Hub and RUP, underscores the significance of strong data management practices.
Focus on Employee Empowerment and Reskilling: Recognizing the resistance AI adoption often faces due to fears of job displacement, Mohammed stresses the importance of reskilling and upskilling employees to work alongside AI. He believes that AI should augment human capabilities, not replace them. Mohammed’s work in building an in-house IT team at UCA from scratch demonstrates his understanding of talent development and managing organizational change.
Foster a Culture of Innovation and Experimentation: Mohammed advocates for creating an environment that encourages exploration and experimentation with AI applications. This can be achieved through initiatives like hackathons, innovation labs, and knowledge sharing. His use of cutting-edge technologies like Generative AI and LLMs in various projects showcases his commitment to fostering a culture of innovation.
Ensure Ethical and Responsible AI Implementation: Mohammed stresses the need for addressing ethical concerns when implementing AI, including mitigating biases and ensuring fairness, transparency, data privacy, and security. He underscores the importance of adhering to data privacy regulations and implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive information.
Leverage Cloud Computing and Scalability: Mohammed recommends utilizing cloud-based AI solutions for their scalability, cost-effectiveness, and access to the latest tools and resources. He highlights his experience with cloud platforms, particularly at ZODE_SA, as an example of how cloud solutions can enhance AI development and deployment.
Focus on Continuous Improvement and Iteration: Mohammed advocates for continuous monitoring and refinement of AI models to ensure they remain effective and aligned with evolving business needs. His use of agile methodologies in AI projects demonstrates the importance of iterative development and continuous improvement.
Collaborate and Build Partnerships: Mohammed emphasizes the value of leveraging external expertise by partnering with AI technology providers, research institutions, and universities to accelerate AI development. His collaborations, such as with Google Cloud for internal product search at ZODE_SA, illustrate the benefits of strategic partnerships in AI innovation.
Making a Mark in the Field of AI
Mohammed offers the following advice to entrepreneurs and emerging leaders looking to make a mark in the field of AI and digital transformation:
Cultivate a Deep Understanding of AI: He encourages entrepreneurs to go beyond the hype and build a solid foundation in AI, including machine learning, deep learning, and other core areas. Gaining hands-on experience through personal projects, hackathons, and open-source contributions is essential. Mohammed also emphasizes the importance of staying updated with the latest developments through continuous learning.
Identify a Unique Value Proposition: Mohammed advises aspiring leaders to find a specific problem within the AI space they are passionate about solving. By identifying a niche market or innovative approach, they can develop a unique selling proposition (USP) that sets them apart in a competitive landscape.
Build a Strong Foundation: He highlights the importance of developing essential skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. Building a diverse and talented team with complementary skills in data science, engineering, and business development is crucial for success. Establishing a strong network of mentors and advisors within the AI community is also key to gaining insights and learning from others.
Embrace Ethical Considerations: Mohammed stresses the need to prioritize ethical AI by ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI projects. Addressing biases in data and algorithms and striving for equitable outcomes should be integral to any AI solution.
Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptation: In the ever-evolving AI landscape, Mohammed advises staying ahead of trends and adapting to market shifts. Continuous iteration and refinement of solutions based on feedback and changing conditions are essential for long-term success.
Lead with Vision and Purpose: Mohammed believes that inspiring a team with a clear vision for the future of AI and fostering a culture of innovation is key to success. He also emphasizes using AI to make a positive societal impact, tackling challenges like climate change, healthcare, and education.
Envisioning Ethical, Human-Centered AI
Mohammed outlines the following top priorities for the next few years as he continues to shape the future of AI and digital transformation:
Championing Ethical and Responsible AI Development:
Prioritize Fairness and Equity: Mohammed aims to promote AI systems that are fair, unbiased, and equitable for all, working to mitigate algorithmic bias and ensure that AI does not exacerbate inequalities.
Focus on Transparency and Explainability: He advocates for transparent and explainable AI systems to foster public trust and encourage broader adoption.
Data Privacy and Security: Mohammed prioritizes robust data privacy and security, advocating for clear regulations and ethical guidelines regarding the collection, use, and sharing of data in AI development.
Driving Human-Centered AI:
Focus on Human-AI Collaboration: Mohammed supports the development of AI systems that augment human abilities rather than replace them, aiming to empower individuals, enhance skills, and improve quality of life.
Prioritize Human Values: He emphasizes that AI development should be driven by human values such as empathy, compassion, and social responsibility.
Invest in AI Education and Upskilling: Mohammed is committed to supporting initiatives that provide accessible AI education and training, ensuring individuals are equipped to thrive in an AI-powered future.
Fostering Innovation and Collaboration:
Encourage Interdisciplinary Collaboration: He advocates for collaboration among researchers, developers, policymakers, and ethicists to address AI’s complex challenges and opportunities.
Support Open Innovation: Mohammed encourages open-source AI development and the sharing of knowledge and best practices within the AI community.
Invest in Emerging AI Technologies: He remains focused on staying up-to-date with advancements in AI, such as generative AI, edge computing, and quantum computing, and exploring their potential applications.
Addressing the Societal Impact of AI:
Mitigating Job Displacement: Mohammed supports policies and programs designed to reskill and upskill workers, ensuring they can adapt to the changing job market due to AI advancements.
Addressing the Ethical Implications of AI: He is committed to engaging in public discourse and policy debates surrounding AI’s ethical and societal implications, ensuring the technology is developed and deployed for the benefit of society.
Leaving a Legacy of Transformative Innovation
Mohammed envisions his legacy in AI and digital transformation to be shaped by several key contributions. First, he aims to be a vocal advocate for ethical and human-centered AI, championing fairness, transparency, and accountability. He strives to ensure that AI benefits humanity and does not exacerbate existing inequalities, actively contributing to the development of ethical guidelines and best practices for AI development.
In addition, Mohammed seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of AI leaders by mentoring young professionals and fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation. His work, particularly at ZODE_SA, is intended to serve as a model for successful AI implementation, demonstrating its transformative power in optimizing business operations and enhancing customer experiences.
Furthermore, Mohammed believes that AI should enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. He envisions a future where AI augments human life and contributes to creating a more equitable and inclusive society. He aims to bridge the gap between technology and humanity, ensuring that AI development is driven by human values and results in positive societal outcomes.
Ultimately, Mohammed hopes to leave a lasting legacy as a thought leader and innovator in the AI field. He aspires to inspire others to embrace AI’s transformative potential, while ensuring that its development and deployment are guided by ethical principles and a commitment to human well-being. Through his focus on ethical AI, human-centered applications, and fostering innovation, Mohammed believes he can help create a brighter and more inclusive future.
Mohammed’s long-term aspirations for ZODE_SA are centered around establishing the company as a leader in e-commerce, first within Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region, and eventually on a global scale. He envisions enhancing customer experiences, expanding product offerings, and utilizing AI to personalize and optimize the customer journey. Additionally, Mohammed aims to drive innovation in the e-commerce industry by integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI, AR/VR, and blockchain to reshape the online shopping experience. He also seeks to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy by fostering a culture of innovation, attracting top talent, and supporting the development of a thriving digital ecosystem.
To contribute to the global conversation on AI and digital transformation, Mohammed plans to actively share his knowledge and experience through publications, presentations, and industry events. He intends to collaborate with industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to address the challenges and opportunities of AI and digital transformation. Mohammed is committed to advocating for ethical and responsible AI development, ensuring that AI technologies benefit humanity and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future. He also aims to mentor and inspire future leaders in the field, empowering the next generation of innovators.
Through these efforts, Mohammed seeks to not only drive ZODE_SA’s success but also play a significant role in shaping the future of AI and digital transformation globally.
