Suhayya Abu-Hakima facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Suhayya Abu-Hakima
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Other names | Dr. Suhayya (Sue) Abu-Hakima |
| Occupation | Founder and CEO, Alstari Corporation (formerly Amika Mobile Corporation) |
| Years active | 1982 to present |
| Known for | AI innovations in messaging and security, 2 successful Tech Start-ups |
| Awards | Order of Ontario (2011) Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) Women of Influence (2014) WXN Top 100 Trail Blazers and Trendsetters (2015) WXN Top 100 Trail Blazers and Trendsetters (2016) US GOVIES Outstanding Emergency Communications Products (2015-2020) |
Suhayya "Sue" Abu-Hakima OOnt is a Canadian inventor and business leader. She creates amazing technology using artificial intelligence (AI). AI is like teaching computers to think and solve problems.
She is known for her work in wireless communication and computer security. She founded companies like Amika Mobile and Alstari Corporation. Dr. Abu-Hakima holds many patents and has won several awards, including the Order of Ontario. She also helps students learn about science and technology.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Suhayya Abu-Hakima was born in the Middle East. She grew up in Montreal, Canada. Her father and mother were both professors at McGill University. She has five siblings.
In 1982, Sue graduated from McGill University. She earned a bachelor's degree in engineering, focusing on computers and communications. Later, she studied at Carleton University in Ottawa.
She earned her master's degree in engineering in 1988. Her studies focused on AI. In 1994, she completed her PhD in artificial intelligence. Her groundbreaking AI research is still used and referenced by others today.
Career Highlights
Dr. Abu-Hakima started her career in 1982 at Bell-Northern Research. She helped create ways for computers to understand speech and handwriting. She also designed the "Invisible Terminal" in 1983. This invention allowed mobile devices to connect wirelessly to a main network.
In 1987, she joined the National Research Council Canada. Here, she developed AI tools to solve real-world problems. These included diagnosing aircraft engines and managing phone networks. She also led a lab focused on AI for personal information networks.
Founding AmikaNow!
In 1998, Dr. Abu-Hakima started her first company, AmikaNow! This company used AI in its wireless software for phones and computers. In 2004, another company, Entrust, bought AmikaNow!'s technology. Sue then worked as a Vice President at Entrust until 2006.
Creating Amika Mobile
In 2007, Dr. Abu-Hakima co-founded her second company, Amika Mobile, in Ottawa. This company used wireless technology from AmikaNow! Its main product, the Amika Mobility Server, helps send emergency alerts. It can connect to mobile phones and computers to deliver messages like emails, texts, and voice alerts.
Amika Mobile won many international awards for its emergency notification systems. It received the US GOVIES awards for six years in a row, from 2015 to 2020. The company's emergency and communications business was acquired by Genasys in October 2020.
Starting Alstari Corporation
After two successful companies, Dr. Abu-Hakima co-founded her third tech startup in October 2020. This new company is called Alstari Corporation. It is currently in its early stages of development.
Other Activities and Contributions
Dr. Abu-Hakima holds 48 international patents. These patents cover areas like content analysis, messaging, security, and emergency alerts. She often speaks about starting businesses, technology, security, and AI. She has also published over 125 professional papers.
She has been a professor at the University of Ottawa. She has also helped create more than 250 high-tech jobs in Ottawa. These jobs focus on AI, messaging, and security.
Dr. Abu-Hakima is a strong supporter of women in business and in STEM careers. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. She has advised the Canadian government on policies that help small businesses and women entrepreneurs. She has also mentored many students in science and technology.
From 1994 to 1998, she was an editor for Computational Intelligence magazine. This magazine is for the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Organization.
Honors and Awards
Dr. Suhayya Abu-Hakima has received many important awards for her work.
- In 2012, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. This award recognized her as a technology visionary and a dedicated volunteer.
- In January 2011, she was named to the Order of Ontario. This is the highest honor given by the province of Ontario.
- In 2007, the Canadian Advanced Technology Association named her an Outstanding Women Entrepreneur.
Personal Life
Dr. Abu-Hakima is a mother of two children. She lives in Kanata, Ontario.
