The memoir Girl Decoded by Rana el Kaliouby is moving and empowering. This book has a unique nature and exceptional blend; an intimate personal memoir and robust career growth in Artificial Intelligence. I got fully engaged in Rana's relatable story while following the informative description of Affectiva, the software company founded by the author.
Many women in STEM will relate to the barriers hindering women from succeeding in a STEM career. Despite increasing women's empowerment, many societies expect women to adjust their careers for their families even if she, like Rana El Kaliouby, is widely successful. At times, gender bias can trigger the readers. What if we switch the genders? What if the husband was traveling so often to achieve his career success? Will anyone judge him? Will people see the wife's sacrifice? The author does not play the victim nor blame herself for the dissolution of the marriage. She gives an accurate and honest description of the situation. I found her bond with her ex-father-in-law, uncle Ahmed, and the connection between her daughter and her paternal grandparents admirable.
Girl Decoded is not only a career success story but an inspiring story of holding to the ethics and human cause of her career. I admired the role of Affectiva in education for helping autistic children and the health care system with patient-doctor interaction, as explained by the author in this interview (min 43-45). The author describes Artificial Intelligence thoroughly and clearly to a global audience. As technology consumers, Girl Decoded helped us understand the ethics of different tech companies and choose the ones that align with our morals.
If you are an Egyptian living abroad, this book will leave you nostalgic! One might be in a different part of the spectrum from the author's religious or political views. But it will be hard to unsee how the author accurately described Egypt's social life. I can picture her wedding at the Conrad Hotel. Her mom pushed back with the in-laws for her daughter's education, her journey at the AUC, the era of Amr Khaled's influence, and lastly, her house in Boston full of Egyptian influence.
Lastly, if you hear this book on audible, the author's narrative brings the script to life with her genuine, engaging tone. Overall I highly recommend this book!
Raghda Abouelnaga
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