The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu #429 Unlocking MEA’s Tech Potential: Ayman Bazaraa and Bassam Sharkawy on Sprints AI
“We’re not just building skills; we’re building futures by bridging the gap between talent and global opportunities.” – Ayman Bazaraa
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Ayman Bazaraa and Bassam Sharkawy, the visionary co-founders of Sprints AI, to discuss their mission to unlock the tech potential of the MENA and Africa regions. They share how Sprints AI is revolutionizing education and employment by equipping local talent with cutting-edge AI skills and connecting them to global opportunities. From guaranteed hiring programs to their innovative AI-powered learning platforms, Ayman and Bassam reveal how they are addressing the challenges of upskilling and employment in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
What Listeners Will Learn:
• How Sprints AI is transforming education with AI-driven, project-based learning.
• The importance of branding and trust in showcasing MENA and African tech talent to the global stage.
• Strategies for creating sustainable employment and enabling local talent to thrive in international markets.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Talent Gap in MENA and Africa: Why local tech talent is underutilized and how Sprints AI is addressing this issue.
2. Guaranteed Hiring Programs: How Sprints AI bridges the gap between education and employment with outcome-driven learning models.
3. AI’s Role in Education: Leveraging AI to personalize learning, improve engagement, and create global-standard talent.
4. Global Opportunities for Local Talent: Success stories of Middle Eastern and African talent securing roles in global tech companies.
5. Future Plans: Sprints AI’s vision to expand across more countries in Africa and the Middle East, and their bold goal of reaching 1 billion learners.
About the Guests:
• Ayman Bazaraa is a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Sprints AI, with over 20 years of experience in the technology sector. He has co-founded three startups, with his last venture acquired by a Fortune 100 company.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayman-bazaraa-5a750517/
• Bassam Sharkawy is a seasoned engineer and co-founder of Sprints AI. With a rich background in software development and deep tech, Bassam has worked with multinational teams across the globe, contributing to cutting-edge innovations.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bassam-sharkawy/
Resources Mentioned:
Episode Highlights:
00:02:30 Ayman Bazaraa’s entrepreneurial journey and why Sprints AI was founded.
00:05:00 Bassam Sharkawy’s experiences with deep tech and the untapped potential of African and Middle Eastern talent.
00:10:45 The challenges of outdated education systems and how Sprints AI tackles them.
00:18:00 Using AI to simulate real-world work environments and enhance employability.
00:30:00 Scaling globally: Sprints AI’s expansion plans across MENA, Africa, and beyond.