Lina Alkholy

Saudi Arabian tech innovator who developed AI solutions to combat gender-based violence and pioneered women's tech entrepreneurship in the Middle East

Rise in Tech Innovation

Lina Alkholy was born in 1989 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While studying computer engineering at KAUST University (2010-2014), she noticed the lack of digital tools addressing gender-based violence (GBV). This inspired her 2015 creation of SafeVoice, an AI chatbot that identifies abuse patterns and connects victims to resources. The platform now operates in 15 countries, processing 200k+ interactions annually.

Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

In 2018, Alkholy co-founded Women in Tech ME, a network supporting over 5,000 Arab women in tech careers. The initiative's "CodeHer" program provides scholarships for female developers, with 80% of graduates securing tech jobs within 6 months. Her 2020 partnership with Microsoft created a cloud-based platform for SMEs in the Gulf region.

Policy Advocacy

Alkholy's work influenced Saudi Arabia's 2021 National Strategy to Combat Violence Against Women. She advises the UN Women's Innovation Commission and was instrumental in establishing the first tech incubator in Jeddah dedicated to women-led startups. Her 2022 documentary "Code of Silence" exposed tech's role in GBV prevention.

Global Recognition

Recipient of the 2020 Global Gender Equality Prize and Forbes Middle East's Tech Leader of the Year (2023). Alkholy's TEDx talk "Programming for Equality" has been translated into 20 languages. She recently launched the Digital Dignity Foundation to expand AI ethics education in MENA countries.

Innovative Solutions

Current projects include an AI-powered virtual assistant for domestic workers' rights advocacy and blockchain systems to track GBV-related legal cases. Her work with UNICEF deploys chatbots in 5 African countries to protect child brides through anonymous reporting channels.