Zohra Slim is helping drive AI innovation from Africa to the world.
Zohra Slim’s journey into technology began as a self-taught software and web developer in Tunisia. Over the years, she has emerged as a prominent voice in the African tech space, co-founding InstaDeep. This artificial intelligence company has grown from humble beginnings into an internationally recognised firm.
Slim co-founded InstaDeep in 2014 alongside Karim Beguir in Tataouine, Tunisia. At the time, the startup operated with limited resources—two laptops and roughly $2,000 in seed capital. Initially focused on web design and software development, the company pivoted toward AI around 2017, aiming to tackle complex industrial problems such as logistics, container packing, and route optimisation.
Her background in systems integration, user experience, and web technologies played a key role in shaping the company’s infrastructure and culture. She currently serves as the Chief Wisdom Officer (CWO), a title that reflects her involvement in guiding strategic direction and fostering an inclusive work environment.
InstaDeep’s growth and global impact
InstaDeep has since expanded its footprint, opening offices in London, Paris, Berlin, Lagos, Cape Town, Boston, and San Francisco. The company has collaborated with global partners, including Google DeepMind, NVIDIA, and academic institutions such as MIT, Oxford, and Imperial College London.
One of the company’s notable breakthroughs came during the COVID-19 pandemic. InstaDeep developed an AI-powered early warning system that identified high-risk virus variants. The system was designed to support real-time genomic surveillance, contributing to public health efforts during a critical period.
InstaDeep also developed DeepChain, an AI-based platform for protein design, designed to accelerate drug discovery in the life sciences sector. These innovations positioned the company as a key player using artificial intelligence to foster the delivery system in healthcare.
Beyond her technical contributions, Slim is known for advocating greater participation of women and youth in science and technology.
“I am always keen to support women considering careers in tech and related industries, and I hope my talk gave the audience confidence and insights they can use to put themselves forward as the next generation of female leaders,” she once said.
At InstaDeep, diversity and inclusion are reflected in the company’s hiring practices and workplace policies. Slim believes that a broad range of perspectives leads to stronger innovation and more effective problem-solving—a philosophy that continues to shape the company’s internal culture.
As InstaDeep explores new applications of AI across industries, Zohra Slim remains involved in driving its mission forward, addressing global challenges and creating tools that benefit communities worldwide.
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