2024 Ada Lovelace Honoree, Afef Feki
Meet our 2024 Ada Lovelace Honoree, Afef Feki
Every October, we celebrate the legacy of Ada Lovelace, a pioneering woman in mathematics and computer science, by recognizing a Nokia female talent in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with the “Ada Lovelace Honoree” title.
This year, our own Ada Lovelace honoree is Afef Feki, System Architect in Mobile Networks RAN R&D.
Selected from a diverse pool of 70 candidates, Afef's achievements stood out throughout the selection process. We interviewed Afef to learn more about her journey and celebrate her accomplishments.
Inspired by Marie Curie, Afef's passion for science blossomed early
Marie Curie, the two-time Nobel Prize-winning physicist and chemist, has been Afef's role model, nurturing her interest in technology and science from a young age. "I've always been fascinated by science, eager to understand how things work, especially electronic devices" Afef shares. “I enjoyed conducting my own experiments with electrical cables, which led to a few accidents, thankfully none were serious.”
A stellar academic journey paved the way for innovation
Afef's genuine interest in science led her to pursue a STEM education. She holds both an engineering degree in telecommunications and an MSc in optics and radio frequency from the Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble, earned in 2005. Following that, she obtained a PhD in Signal and Images from Telecom ParisTech, France, in 2008, graduating with high honors.
Afef attributes her achievements to the solid research foundation she built during her early education and career. However, she then decided to shift towards product development, leading her to her current role. Today, she works as a system architect specializing in Radio access network optimizations utilizing AI/ML technologies, focusing on areas like mobility optimization, energy efficiency, and anomaly detection.
“I am convinced that my past research career is key in my current role in bringing innovation from ideas to real products.” Afef states.
A prolific patent portfolio and a drive for innovation
Afef's achievements speak for themselves, leaving no doubt why she was chosen as this year's Ada Lovelace honoree. Her prolific patent portfolio is a testament to her dedication to innovation. She filed two patents during her PhD studies, then continued to contribute with over 70 patents filed and published, with another 40 patents filed at Nokia awaiting publication.
“In my current position in Mobile Networks, I have the opportunity to work on features using AI/ML in 5G networks and beyond, collaborating closely with Bell labs and standardization teams” Afef explains. “This offers the chance to bring innovative ideas to the table."
Looking ahead, Afef is excited about the role of AI/ML in shaping the future of 6G. "While we see examples of how AI/ML is already influencing 5G, (such as energy saving and optimization for 5G) it's promising to see how AI/ML will become an integral part of 6G, presenting new and exciting technical challenges to overcome" she says.
A Champion for Diversity and Inclusion in Tech
Afef's prolific patent portfolio and numerous awards demonstrate her significant impact on the telecommunications industry and showcase the incredible impact women can have on the field. These remarkable achievements highlight how she embodies the spirit of Ada Lovelace.
She nominated herself for the recognition because Ada Lovelace's spirit and life resonated with her. She enjoys pushing her own boundaries and taking on new challenges to make a difference. She is convinced that diversity and inclusion in the tech industry are essential to shaping its future, and that the ultimate goal of technology is to create solutions that benefit everyone. Enabling diversity in all its forms and fostering an inclusive environment will empower people to flourish and generate innovative solutions for everyone.
"I believe that this richness [of ideas] brings an inclusive atmosphere and improves team dynamics, which I feel is essential in my daily work at Nokia." Afef shares.
Inspiring Future Generations of STEM Leaders
Afef's professional journey can inspire anyone, she strongly encourages women to pursue careers in STEM fields:
Afef lives in Sceaux, France, with her family of five.
In her free time, she enjoys gardening and DIY projects, such as painting.
Her motto is: "Believe in yourself and always push boundaries."
More about Afef and her achievements:
