I’m a computer scientist trained in AI and machine learning.

I have founded two startups, built several AI products, been on teams that became unicorns, and led engineering teams of all sizes.

I am also a writer. I host the Nerd Immunity podcast (on hiatus), teach AI, and run Kamli — a feminist collective I founded in 2021.

I have undergraduate and graduate degrees in C.S. from MIT. I was born and raised in Pakistan.

Blog—

On tech, social movements, and the ideas, people and books that inspire me. I also have a substack, where I post only my tech-related writings.

Recent Posts

The U.S.-Mexico Drug Trade — A Tale of Enduring Myths •‍ Feb 28, 2026

Rilke — For The Sake Of A Single Poem •‍ Oct 15, 2025

On Borders • Aug 22, 2025

Beyond LLMs • Jun 15, 2025

H eterogenous AI: A Return to Rigo r •‍ ‍Mar 20, 2025

Solito, A Book Review • Nov 30, 2024

Being Locked Into Bad Software • Feb 17, 2024

America, The Rogue • Nov 30, 2023‍ ‍

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A black and white sketch of vintage typewriter with round keys and a paper inserted in the roller.

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Past Work, Past Lives —

My first startup, Popinjay

In 2014, I founded Popinjay—the b2c e-commerce marketplace that was Pakistan's fastest-growing startup at the time—and the first Pakistan-based startup to raise institutional capital.

Operating across Pakistan, Vietnam and China, Popinjay was a very early mover in sustainable supply chains, and connecting makers to customers.
Along with giving me some of the most valuable lessons of my life, Popinjay was wildly successful commercially. We reached our first half million in revenue within months. By the end of Year 1, our sales footprint spanned 25 countries and 50+ retailers, including Anthropologie, features in CNN, Vogue & BBC, and fans like Diane von Furstenburg.
AI Research at MIT

I did my MIT graduate thesis in AI with the legendary Patrick Winston, Founding Director of MIT AI Lab, whose PhD advisor was Marvin Minsky. Our research group at MIT’s Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab—Genesis—developed a top-to-bottom, computational account of human intelligence by creating models of how people tell, perceive and understand stories.
My thesis focused on goal-seeking AI that built context to execute in novel situations.
My time at CSAIL inspired and informed much of my current work.
Various Tech Startups

Over the last decade, I’ve worked at several startups, taking products to market and leading engineering teams. I’m particularly proud of my work with —
VentureDive - tech studio that built 2 unicorns, where I was VP of Product
i2i Ventures - Pakistan’s first female-led fund; I was on the Investment Committee
BridgeLinx - Tech-enabled logistics in Pakistan
Atoms - NYC-based sneaker company
Elarian - customer data startup in Kenya where I led GTM strategy
AI-Powered Platform to Reduce Infant Mortality

A product I loved building! An e2e AI-powered clinical decision-support tool—sold to the Gates Foundation and deployed to 150K+ users across 5 global sites. I led the entire development, from concept to deployment.
This first-of-its-kind digital platform covers the full journey of maternal & infant health services — enabling real-time care coordination, antenatal decision support, risk stratification and clinical workflow management.