Describe your business and your role within it

I work in Artificial Intelligence, in particular focusing on Artificial Emotional Intelligence. This involves analyzing and influencing consumer behaviour and shaping user interaction with computer powered personals, AI characters and systems. In short I run a Human-AI interaction consultancy.

My current projects include focusing on AI implementation and interaction with clients, interface and emotional triggers, and ways to improve communication between AI and us humans in order to set up trust and provide consistent support.

Recently I have been working specifically in Real Estate- building sustainable relationships, highlighting the benefits of AI through a hybrid bot and the best way to minimize the stress and time involved in looking for the perfect place to live. A one size fits all approach, as well as endless Real estate websites, magazines and individual listings. After all, finding a home is one of the key aspects of our lives.

Today the world allows us to filter endless data, optimize it, personalize it and adjust it to anyone’s needs and abundant requests. This way, less time is consumed searching – getting market insights is instant and so is closing the deal- all without losing the touch of an actual ‘someone’ being responsible and always working for you in the background.

Like your own broker. Just more friendly, always awake and 100% unbiased. That’s the way we will be making decisions tomorrow and tomorrow starts now!

How did you get into this line of business?

Prior to my MA in NYC, I was working in HP in their marketing department focusing a lot on pre-production models, forecasting and sales. Customer behavior and its influences always fascinated me. During my year in NYC, I learned that new business models, innovation and exploring the unknown, is really what drives me. As one of my projects in my Masters Degree, I pitched to a startup in Eastern Europe, which later on suggested my idea to several companies and they took it really well and used it as a business model (I still blame myself for having cold feet to start it on my own back then). It really helped me understand and define my interest in product implementation and market response. I still had slightly cold feet!

So, I followed my fitness passion and I worked with leading fitness brand, Equinox, bringing their concepts to the UK, driving sales and marketing their concepts and clubs. It was a new challenge which was exactly what I needed in order to learn how to launch, sell and communicate a new product.

When researching what to do my PhD in, when I felt like moving on again, I got really invested in all concepts AI and my curiosity led me to consider going back to tech. It happened as a consequence of bumping into the right people working with data modelling, who showed me some machine learning insights, for instance, how creating an artificial mind works and how it only takes a few enthusiastic minds to make wonders.

Ever since then, I have been a nomad! Even though I reside in London, I am a frequent guest at Shabbat Diners in Tel Aviv, working from a cafe in Lithuania or Barcelona, or remembering the times studying in NYC while sitting in one of the Wework locations in Manhattan. And these times I appreciate most- remembering my first day of my Masters Degree, overlooking Midtown and feeling this immense overwhelming energy of the city and people around me.

How did you go about setting it up and getting established?

I grew up in a family where entrepreneurship was always promoted. From day one my parents only saw success as having ‘your own’ business. I did try to oppose that but, I suppose, this idea always ran in the back of my head.

Circumstances, looking for new paths and talking to many interesting people from high tech companies like Google and Facebook, always encouraged me to explore the unknown. After meeting a group of Israeli entrepreneurs at a music festival in the middle of nowhere- I found myself thinking way outside any box and putting together articles of incorporation one rainy December.

What else is in the pipeline?

Still… A PhD.

Studying has always been a big part of me. I love universities and endlessly getting lost in the land of knowledge- it’s truly overwhelming. I have several aspirations for a PhD at Cornell, in order to fully research the capacities of robotics, and most importantly, it’s potential impact on businesses and how it will shape interaction not only between tech and humans, but primarily humans themselves.
I think over the last couple of years we have developed abundant opportunities and I truly wish to keep exploring those waters, looking for the perfect recipe for relationships.

What has been the proudest moment in your working life thus far?

Getting back to NYC to sign my first US client. Ever since I left the US I have been dreaming of this day. And I did it- on my own.

What has been your biggest mistake/learning experience?

Rushed decisions and impulsive actions. I have to admit that I am guilty of the Millenial curse. My generation is too used to instant gratification and isn’t willing to wait for results to come in due time. Several times short term wins have led me to take a step or two back and go back to the start.

Any words of advice/wisdom you would impart to others thinking of setting up their own business?

Patience, research and never forget the big goal. On many occasions we get lost in daily issues, but it’s important not to give in and to know why you’re here now, what you can learn and how tomorrow will be brighter.

How do you manage your work/life balance?

It all comes together. I have always had lots of people at work or friends who ended up working with me. I am one of those who believe these concepts have to co- exist in order to make up a 100% of a person.