Tech Talent Tuesday - Raza Habib

As the co-founder and CEO of Humanloop, Raza Habib has earned his place on Forbes' esteemed 30-Under-30 list. His mission is clear: to revolutionise the AI field by making the process of instructing computers as intuitive as guiding a colleague. 

Raza's interest in technology began with his strong educational foundation. He first pursued a BA and MSci in Mathematics and Physics, earning first class honours from the University of Cambridge. He then continued his learning at University College London, where he completed his MSc in Machine Learning and Computational Statistics with Distinction and earned the "Directors Award for First Place in Overall Academic Performance”. Finally, Raza achieved a PhD in Machine Learning from UCL, focusing on advances in Probabilistic Deep Learning. His research not only ignited his passion for improving AI but is poised to have a lasting impact on the field of AI education.

Before founding Humanloop, Raza had several positions that set the stage for his eventual expertise in the AI field. Raza began his tech career at JustPark, where he honed his skills in driving business growth and strategic partnerships. Soon after, his passion for AI and machine learning led him to Monolith AI, where he served as a Data Scientist. This role allowed him to delve deeper into the applications of AI in real-world scenarios. Finally, Raza further honed his research skills during an AI Research Internship at Google, working on cutting-edge projects at Mountain View. These early experiences cemented his desire to carve a new path in AI. 

In 2020, Raza embarked on a transformative journey by co-founding Humanloop, an AI company driven by a powerful mission to democratise machine learning. Through their pioneering AI/human interface, Humanloop empowers companies to harness their specialised domain knowledge and seamlessly translate it into robust machine learning capabilities. This ground-breaking approach has not only garnered widespread recognition but has also received substantial support, exemplified by a significant $1.8 million seed round led by Index Ventures.

Raza's interest in starting Humanloop began during his PhD, when he marvelled at AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP)’s rapid progress during that time. The unprecedented strides in language processing and reasoning capabilities, once confined to the realm of science fiction, materialised year after year, defying his initial expectations. However, he also observed a critical challenge: companies grappling to extract value from AI and NLP, often mired in laborious, time-consuming processes. Humanloop emerged as the solution, simplifying access to cutting-edge AI for developers, significantly reducing resource requirements, and enabling a broader spectrum of companies to harness the benefits of this rapidly advancing frontier. In essence, Humanloop empowers countless individuals and organisations to experience the benefits of NLP progress.

Raza has a vision of a future where AI works hand in hand with humans, making tasks more accessible to everyone. He tirelessly strives to use technology for the greater good, working towards a world where technology benefits society and is inclusive for all. This vision shines through in all his work, bringing a positive social impact to the forefront.

Raza's dedication to ethical AI practices and his mission to democratise machine learning underscore the positive impact he is making on society and cement his position as a clear thought leader in the industry.

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