M Waleed Kadous

M Waleed Kadous is currently the Engineering Lead for Generative AI at Canva, a role he has held since June 2024. He previously served as a Principal Applied Scientist at the same company, starting in March 2024. In his current position, he spearheads the company's efforts in developing large language models (LLMs) and generative AI technologies.123

Background and Experience

Before joining Canva, Kadous accumulated extensive experience in the tech industry. He worked at Uber, where he was responsible for overall system architecture and led teams focused on machine learning and location services. His career also includes a significant tenure at Google, where he founded the Android Location and Sensing team, contributing to features like the "blue dot" in Google Maps and developing machine learning algorithms for products such as Google Fit.12

Academic Contributions

Kadous is also involved in academic discussions around AI, having presented on topics such as the integration of AI with Islamic studies. His work reflects a blend of technical expertise and a commitment to exploring the ethical implications of AI technologies.14

Current Focus

At Canva, Kadous is focused on harnessing generative AI to enhance user experiences and streamline design processes. His leadership aims to position Canva at the forefront of AI-driven innovation in the design space.3

For more insights into his work and thoughts on AI, you can find him active on LinkedIn under the username waleedkadous.