Meet Dr. Humera Noor, a distinguished technology expert with an incredible background. Holding a PhD, she specialises in Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and cutting-edge technologies. Her educational journey began in Pakistan, followed by the US, where she honed her expertise in advanced computational techniques.

Now based in Germany, Dr. Noor has made significant contributions as an engineering leader. She has held key leadership roles at eyeo, Cliqz, and co-founded 4Pilots, a startup focused on automotive safety solutions.

In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Noor is committed to fostering personal and professional growth. She is dedicated to empowering her team members and helping them reach their full potential. 

Can you tell us about your journey into the tech industry and what initially inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

I was a trouble-maker as a kid: always looking for tricks to dodge the homework and splitting open the electronic devices to see what’s inside. Growing up, sandwiched between two sensible sisters and under the supervision of a civil engineer father and a lawyer mom, it was crystal clear right from the beginning that education would be our superpower.

My papa guided me towards computer engineering. It was an emerging technology in the 1990s and suitable for the next generation of female professionals. My undergrad studies in my homeland Pakistan not only helped me build my foundation but also uncovered my love for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and teaching – the two have remained with me ever since. I started my teaching career, at my alma mater, right after final year exams, and stayed over a decade full-time in the field – as Assoc. Prof. and departmental Co-chairperson in the last few years.

In parallel, I continued my journey of Ph.D., a joint program with University of Central Florida and finally postdoc at Technische Universität München going more in-depth into AI, machine learning and computer vision. A lot happened during that journey, including me landing in Germany after getting married (interesting stories there ☺) and finally moving from academia to Industry where I get to find my new love – Big Data. There has been no turning back.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a woman in tech, and how have you overcome them?

I’ve been fortunate in my journey as a woman in tech, and I acknowledge that not everyone has the same experience. I’ve had the unwavering support of my husband, who has been instrumental in helping me maintain a healthy work-life balance and navigating the corporate world. He’s a torchbearer of education and women empowerment, always encouraging me to pursue my career aspirations while also valuing our time together as a family.

This support system has taught me the importance of being there for others. I’ve learned to uplift those around me, offering support and encouragement whenever I can. I believe that by fostering a culture of support and empowerment, we can help each other overcome the hurdles that come our way.

Of course, like anyone in this field, I’ve faced my share of challenges. But I’ve learned to approach these situations with a mindset of seeing the glass as half full. By focusing on the positive aspects and opportunities within each challenge, I’ve been able to turn difficult situations into learning experiences, ultimately making the most of whatever comes my way.

What has been your proudest achievement in your career so far, and what impact do you believe it has had on your team or the industry?

“Ms. Humera Noor, we congratulate you on becoming Dr. Humera Noor” – my most prized achievement, which never gets old, is getting my doctorate. It gave me a rock-solid foundation not only in my further academic research life but also in my transition to the industry. Moreover, it taught me the lessons of resilience, the power of being focused & dedicated, not being afraid of exploring uncharted territories, etc. It helped me become the kind of leader that I am today. 

More recently, and on a technical front, I led eyeo’s initiative to become the industry pioneer in commercially applying machine learning to automate online ad detection for over 15 million users. In the process, I ensured that ethics in AI are given due consideration. One of the ethical aspects of technical advancement in general and AI in particular is to ensure that no harm is done to the environment. Hence, I led efforts to make eyeo’s machine learning infrastructure environmentally friendly. Compared to the industry standards, eyeo’s models save more than 1000x the energy than the standard Large Language Models for training. During inference, the energy consumption of the models is 200 times more efficient than a fluorescent light bulb and 600 times than that of an incandescent lamp. I’m proud of finding the balance between using technology for innovation while ensuring that we don’t harm the planet Earth in the process.  

Can you share some advice for young women who are considering a career in tech or who are currently working their way up in the industry?

For women starting their careers in tech, here are 3 concrete pieces of advice from my side:

1. Pick your niche and become an expert in that: Many people ignore this tip that the more you excel in your field, the more your confidence will naturally grow. Focus on what you love to do and go all in.
2. Believe in yourself: Have confidence in your abilities and believe that you belong in the tech industry. You have unique perspectives and skills to offer, so embrace them wholeheartedly.
3. Establish your Brand: Speak up in public and share your knowledge. Make your achievements and contributions known, and establish your brand. Be visible!

What initiatives or projects are you currently working on that excite you the most, and how do you see them shaping the future of technology?

AI, AI, AI - I started my journey with Artificial Intelligence (AI) over 25 years ago, and the technology and growth still amaze me. I'm excited about artificial intelligence because of its potential to revolutionize various industries and improve countless aspects of our lives. AI's ability to analyze data, recognize patterns, make predictions and especially the pervasive use of large language models opens up numerous opportunities for innovation and problem-solving, impacting both large tech and small business. Its ongoing advancements promise to make our world smarter, more efficient, and more accessible.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for women in tech over the next decade?

The biggest challenge that I see is that we do not encourage our young girls to enter STEM fields. It is important that we address this issue at its root, and start supporting our school-going girls to develop interest and skills in tech, engineering and Maths. Programs like coding camps, robotics clubs, and mentorship initiatives can make a significant difference. A stronger inflow at the foundational level will give more opportunities at the lead level. We’re in a spiral that we need to break. 

This lack of presence causes more challenges, like:

Persistent Gender Bias and Stereotypes: Despite progress, gender bias remains a significant hurdle. Women often face stereotypes that question their technical abilities and leadership potential, which can hinder their career advancement and lead to a lack of representation in senior roles.

Underrepresentation in Leadership Roles: Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership and decision-making roles in tech. This lack of representation perpetuates the cycle of bias and limits the influence women have on shaping the future of the industry.

Combine these with imposter syndrome, balancing career and family, and lack of role models and mentorship makes it even more challenging for women to enter and excel in tech.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom! We’ve now started talking about diversity and creating awareness to empower women. Women themselves know they need to lean in and get a seat at the table. 

The biggest opportunities that I see out there are:

Entrepreneurship and Startups: The tech startup ecosystem continues to grow, offering women more opportunities to create and lead their own companies. Increased access to venture capital specifically targeting female entrepreneurs also presents a significant opportunity for women to shape the future of tech. If you can’t get a share in the pie, create your own pie.

Increased Focus on Diversity and Inclusion: Many companies are recognizing the value of diverse teams and are implementing more robust diversity and inclusion initiatives. This focus can open doors for women in tech, providing greater access to leadership roles, mentorship opportunities, and equitable pay. Moreover, we’ve communities and forums like Women Rock that highlight women's journeys and give them the boost that they need.

What are some common misconceptions about women in tech, and how can we work to dispel them?

The  biggest misconception that I’ve seen is that: Women are too nice and kind to be a strong leader. This is not true. The empathy and emotional intelligence of women give them an edge that is still not digested by the masses. It’s a different kind of leadership, however no less in any way than other leadership styles.. According to recent research (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004873332100127X) companies with female CTOs are more innovative than those with males.  

The solution is two-fold: create awareness and invest in getting more females in tech.

What is your favourite song?

Counting Stars by OneRepublic - It’s motivating, rebellious and energising at the same time.  

What book would you recommend for our Women Rock bookshelf?

Oh, this is the toughest question because I have so many 🤩. If I can pick only one, that would be Atomic Habits by James Clear. This is because habits make us who we are, and if we can control our habits, we can control our destiny.

Some others that I keep going back to, depending on the context:

• Radical Candor by Kim Scott - How to be a kickass manager without losing humanity
• The four by Scott Gallaway - eye-opening read for business owners and consumers alike
• Culture Map by Erin Meyer - if you’re part of, and especially leading, multicultural teams, this is a must-read.

Interviewed by Ryan Delaney