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A leading expert in artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced analytics, Adil Belhouari actually lives and works in Riyadh. The Moroccan expert (born in Rabat, 1974) has built an exceptionally successful career driven through his passion, talent, and unwavering dedication to excellence.
A veteran of prestigious organizations across three continents, Adil Belhouari currently serves as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Center of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Advanced Analytics at Riyad Bank, one of the largest banking institutions in the Middle East.
Since his young age, Adil Belhouari demonstrated a natural aptitude for learning, consistently excelling in his academic pursuits. After graduating with a scientific baccalaureate in 1992, he obtained an engineering diploma in statistics and applied economics from the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (INSEA) - Rabat in 1996.
A successful journey
The young graduate quickly joined the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) from 1997 to 2000. As responsible for financing development initiatives, Adil played a leading role in socio-economic and development studies, overseeing projects in North Africa and southern Europe countries.
«I have supervised several development projects and programs in these countries, covering initiatives as rural electricity supply project, financing livelihood projects for unprivileged families, and Moroccan administration reform, etc.», he recalled in an interview.
At the same time, Adil Belhouari continued his postgraduate studies. In 1998, he obtained a degree in finance and accounting from the Superior Institute of Commerce and Business Administration (ISCAE). Two years later, and eager for higher career development, he took off for Canada, where he graduated in 2004 with a Master's degree specialized in Business Intelligence and Data Science from High Business School of Commerce (HEC) in Montreal. He then pursued his doctoral project at the same institution.
In Canada, where he lived until 2009, Adil Belhouari was awarded the first prize for academic excellence in the region of Quebec. He continuously shared his expertise as professor of statistics, mathematics, probability and operational research at HEC and University of Montreal.
The specialist also honed his practical skills by working as a consultant at a leading firm in the fields of artificial intelligence, business solutions and data analytics. He then transitioned to a role as Director of Analytics Practice for the American company SAS Institute Inc., one of the world's most renowned companies in technology and digital transformation.
«At the SAS Institute Inc's annual meeting, they discovered my fluency in Arabic, in addition to English and French», Adil Belhouari recalls. «This led to proposing an opportunity to assist and help developing the company business in its regional office in Dubai. I then moved to Riyadh in 2009, to start a new chapter in my professional career».
International recognition in the East and the West
Through his work as an expert and consultant, Belhouari was constantly traveling across the different Gulf countries, helping and working with major companies in the region, like Riyad Bank. «After a year of consultancy contribution to one of the Bank's critical strategic projects, I got an offer to join the team and share my experience and expertise in building and scaling up the Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence practice within the Bank», he confides.
Thus, since 2009, Belhouari has held the position of Senior Vice President and General Manager of Riyad Bank's Center for Artificial Intelligence, Science and Advanced Data Analytics in Saudi Arabia. «The experience and the journey with Riyad Bank has been always beautiful, very positive and full of great memories and achievements», he adds.
He is now a world-renowned figure in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, as well as a reference point beyond the banking sector. Belhouari has received numerous awards, including the Best Leader Award in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (recognized in 2022 by the Banking Artificial Intelligence and Analytics Summit and Awards in the Middle East).
In the same year, he was also recognized by the Financial Academy affiliated to the Central Bank of Saudi Arabia with the prize for the best contribution to academic and professional development in financial intelligence for banking professionals. In 2024, he additionally won a prize for the best use case for Hyper-personalization and customer analytics in the Middle Eastern banking world.
Belhouari's outstanding contributions were further acknowledged with the «Personality of the Year» award, recognizing his commitment and experience in the banking industry. He is also nominated for the «Top 10 Smart Leaders in Banking Data Science and Analytics for the Year 2024» awards by the American magazine CIOLOOK.
Currently, he is affiliated to the Executive Council of Business Intelligence Experts (BICE) at the Michigan University (USA), he is also a member of the Statisticians Society of Canada, an executive member of the INSEA Statisticians Network, and an active member of the HEC Montreal alumni network. Belhouari is also the author of numerous international publications and a sought-after lecturer and communications specialist.
Throughout his successful career, Adil Belhouari has never forgotten Morocco. «My love for the country is deep-rooted. It's our duty to be the best ambassadors and representatives of our beloved country. I was, I am, and I will always be ready and happy to help and contribute to our kingdom’s development and prosperity», he declared.
