Abdelrahman Hekal

Where are you from, and what is your background?

I grew up moving between Cairo, Egypt and various cities across the UK, before eventually beginning my studies at Newcastle University. I completed a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, then transitioned into Computer Science for my MSc and later my PhD, where I focused on the safety of autonomous systems.

What do you do in your spare time?

Outside of work, I spend most of my time playing football, cycling, and staying active. I also run a football-league community in Cairo alongside my childhood friends, which has grown into a platform organising competitive 5-a-side leagues across the city. You can check it out at footynation24.com

What influenced you to stay in academia?

I’ve always wanted a career that would let me work on cutting-edge problems while constantly learning. This field continues to fascinate me, and I’m excited to keep exploring it as it evolves.

What are your research interests?

I am broadly interested in the robustness and reliability of autonomous systems. My research work of late has turned more concretely towards AI safety. I am currently working on Out-of-Distribution Detection and verification of Neuro-symbolic systems.