Speaker of the day: Nawal Abboub — AI & Technology

Every day we spotlight one voice from the UnoMe network. Today: Nawal Abboub, AI & Technology — one of the keynote speakers we recommend for corporate events and conferences in Mecca, Lusail and across the GCC.

Who is Nawal Abboub?

Dr Nawal Abboub – Cognitive Neuroscientist, Deeptech Entrepreneur and Keynote Speaker on Brain Science, Learning, and the Future of Work

Dr Nawal Abboub is a pioneering cognitive neuroscientist, educator, and deeptech innovator whose work sits at the powerful intersection of brain science, artificial intelligence, and education. Her career is defined by a mission to democratize cognitive science and harness it to rethink how we learn, work, and evolve as a society.

With a PhD in cognitive neuroscience and a strong background in academic research, Nawal co-founded Rising Up in 2017—a deeptech company leveraging the latest advances in neuroscience and AI to assess and develop transversal skills (such as critical thinking, adaptability, emotional intelligence). Her approach turns cognitive science into a practical tool for employability, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

Her book La Puissance des Bébés (Fayard, 2022) quickly became a reference on early cognitive development and was republished in 2023 due to its impact. As a lecturer and course designer at ENS-PSL, she creates bridges between science and real-life educational challenges, fostering a new generation of brain-aware leaders.

In 2024, she was named one of Europe’s most disruptive women in tech by the European Innovation Council, winning the Women Tech EU Award for her groundbreaking work on cognitive learning technologies.

🏆 Notable Achievements

• Co-founder and scientific director of Rising Up, a deeptech company certified by the European Innovation Council

• Winner of the 2024 Women Tech EU Award – Disruptive Category

• Author of the best-selling book La Puissance des Bébés (Fayard)

• Lecturer and co-creator of an applied cognitive science course at ENS-PSL

• Recognized expert in neuroeducation and AI-driven learning

• Regular keynote speaker at global forums on education, neuroscience, and innovation

Language:

• English
• French

🧭 Key Themes & Signature Topics

• Emotional Intelligence Revisited Through Neuroscience

• The Brain and Decision-Making

• Learning Mechanisms and Cognitive Development

• Multilingualism and the Brain

• Soft Skills in the Age of AI

• The Future of Work

• Mental Fatigue and Cognitive Load

• Digital Impacts on the Brain

• Lifelong Learning and Competency Development

• Pedagogical Innovation in the Digital Era

Dr Abboub offers audiences science-based insights with real-life application. Her style is engaging, evidence-backed, and designed to spark action—from educators and HR leaders to tech pioneers and policymakers. She connects complex neuroscience to everyday work, learning, and leadership decisions.

What makes her talks exceptional:

• Translates advanced cognitive science into clear, actionable strategies

• Delivers compelling visions of the future of learning and work

• Equips audiences to adapt to AI, digital fatigue, and cognitive overload

• Advocates for inclusion, equity, and brain-based innovation in education

• A voice of hope, rigor, and transformation in a changing world

Topics on stage

• AI & Technology
• Future of Work
• Learning & Development
• Neuroscience and Education

Who is this keynote for?

A talk by Nawal Abboub fits annual kick-offs, leadership days, industry conferences and talent programmes. The format usually runs 45 to 60 minutes, with an optional Q&A or a closed-door executive workshop.

Booking in the UAE and the Gulf

UnoMe, the Swiss Speakers' Bureau in Dubai, handles everything: selection, negotiation, travel and preparation with your team. Contact us to check Nawal Abboub's availability for your date.