Saima Fancy’s career is a powerful embodiment of the impact that interdisciplinary collaboration can have in solving complex global challenges. With expertise spanning chemical engineering, privacy engineering, law, and AI governance, Saima is uniquely positioned to address the pressing data privacy concerns of today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. As a passionate advocate for consumer privacy, she blends her engineering background, philosophical principles, and philanthropic mindset to create meaningful solutions that protect data and promote ethical AI practices.

Her diverse academic and professional background—from biochemistry and chemical engineering to philosophy and law—has allowed Saima to carve out a distinctive role at the intersection of technology, privacy, and ethical responsibility. A key figure in privacy engineering and AI governance, she is also a tireless champion for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. As a woman in tech, Saima leverages her unique perspective to challenge industry norms, push boundaries, and inspire others, all while mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Saima’s insights into privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) and AI-driven innovations are invaluable for businesses navigating the increasingly complex world of data protection. Her work continues to guide organizations through the intricacies of privacy laws, cybersecurity, and AI ethics, with a focus on creating safer and more inclusive technology ecosystems.

Saima’s commitment to education, mentorship, and making technology more accessible is at the core of her mission. Through her certifications in privacy engineering and contributions to global AI governance discussions, she remains dedicated to advancing the principles of ethical technology and data protection, all while bringing diverse voices into the fold of privacy and cybersecurity.

For Saima, the convergence of technology, privacy, and ethics isn’t just a career—it’s a calling, and she’s driven by a steadfast commitment to making the world of technology safer, more inclusive, and more responsible

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The Intersection of Chemical Engineering, Privacy Engineering, and Law

Saima's career is a perfect reflection of how diverse fields can converge to address pressing privacy concerns. “The convergence happened about a decade ago, particularly with the rise of IoT and the explosion of data across the World Wide Web and cloud systems,” she explains. With a background in engineering and law, Saima works at the intersection of cybersecurity, data privacy, and AI tools, creating solutions that ensure data is protected throughout its lifecycle.

Her philosophical background also plays a key role in shaping her approach. “I’m driven by the need to do the right thing,” she shares. Data protection aligns well with my philosophical principles, especially when it comes to ethical considerations around data usage.” In addition to her technical expertise, Saima emphasizes the importance of educating others about data privacy. She regularly engages in discussions on LinkedIn and teaches others about the intricacies of data protection and privacy technologies.

Addressing the Pressing Privacy Challenges for Consumers

One of the most significant privacy challenges today is the rapid, often opaque, use of consumer data. Saima highlights the lack of transparency, inadequate consent mechanisms, and the evolving role of AI in data processing. “The proliferation of AI tools and the sheer volume of data being collected can be dizzying for consumers,” she says. As consumers become more aware of their data privacy rights, they are increasingly asking questions like, “What are you doing with my data?” and demanding clearer opt-in and opt-out mechanisms.

Saima is particularly concerned about the misuse of data in sectors like healthcare, fintech, and edtech. “In these industries, sensitive data like PII or PHI is being uploaded without consumers realizing the long-term implications. Once data enters the system, it’s gone,” she warns, citing the dangers of large language models (LLMs) being trained on personal information without adequate safeguards.

Her approach to tackling these challenges is through education. “We need to empower consumers with knowledge,” she explains. “Just like teaching a teenager to drive, we need to educate users on how to protect themselves and understand the tools they are using, especially AI technologies.”

Staying Ahead of Global Privacy Trends and Navigating Evolving Regulations

With privacy laws and regulations constantly evolving, staying ahead of global trends is no small task. Saima acknowledges the difficulty of keeping pace with AI-driven innovations. "You cannot stay ahead of the AI trend,” she admits. “AI regulations are few and far between, and even in regions like Canada, there’s little movement on AI-related acts." She points out the gaps in legislation, particularly in countries like Canada and the U.S., where AI regulations are still in their infancy.

In contrast, Saima praises the EU for its comprehensive GDPR framework and looks to it as a gold standard for privacy regulation. However, she remains concerned about the speed at which technology is advancing compared to the pace of legislative action. “Tech is evolving too quickly,” she notes, highlighting the challenges posed by edge computing and AI integration across all aspects of our lives.

Saima is also hopeful about emerging AI regulations in places like India, the UAE, and Africa, where there is growing awareness and legislation surrounding AI and privacy. “It’s incredibly exciting to see countries developing robust AI Acts and Privacy Acts,” she says. But she remains concerned that policymakers, while well-meaning, often lack the technological expertise needed to craft effective regulations.

To address this gap, Saima actively works to bridge the divide between technology and policy, bringing together stakeholders to discuss and develop solutions that are both technically sound and legally robust.

The Future of Privacy: A Call for Education, Transparency, and Ethical Governance

Saima's work is not just about tackling the technical side of data privacy; it’s about creating a world where consumers understand their rights and organizations act with integrity. Her commitment to privacy and ethical governance is driven by a desire to protect data while fostering innovation.

“The future of privacy is rooted in education, transparency, and responsible governance,” Saima states. “As AI continues to shape our world, we must balance innovation with strong ethical principles, ensuring that technology serves humanity and not the other way around.”

Her ultimate goal is to create a space where privacy and security are prioritized without stifling innovation. By actively engaging in education, policy discussions, and technological advancements, Saima is not only preparing for the challenges of 2025 and beyond but also ensuring that the solutions are grounded in ethics and human dignity.

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The Role of Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) in 2025

Saima is an advocate for the growing adoption of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), such as differential privacy, federated learning tools, and homomorphic encryption. She regularly participates in conferences, including the Privacy Engineering Practice and Respect (PEPR) conference in Santa Clara, California, where engineers come together to discuss the latest advancements in PETs. “There’s amazing work being done in the area of PETs, both in industry and academia,” she says, acknowledging the strides made in tools designed to anonymize, pseudonymize, and protect data.

However, Saima acknowledges that despite the progress, these tools are not yet being adopted at the rate she would like. The barriers to wider use include factors such as cost, accessibility, and literacy. “Some of these tools are terribly expensive,” she notes. Despite these challenges, she remains optimistic about the potential of PETs, recognizing that they are essential to ensuring robust privacy protections as AI and data usage continue to increase.

Saima believes that businesses should integrate privacy-enhancing technologies from the very beginning of their product development cycle. “From the get-go, from the time planning begins, be mindful of bringing in Privacy by Design principles,” she advises. “And if you have the funds, then look into embedding the right tools into your cloud infrastructure.” By taking a proactive approach and applying frameworks such as the OECD or NIST, businesses can ensure they are incorporating privacy and security into their products in a way that doesn’t compromise their integrity.

Emerging Trends in Data Privacy and Neurodata Protection

As technologies evolve, Saima is particularly concerned with the emerging trends surrounding neurodata protection. Wearable devices, brain-computer interfaces, and other advancements in neural data collection are quickly gaining traction. While this technology has the potential to revolutionize various industries, Saima is concerned about the lack of regulations and privacy protections in place for neurodata. “I’m worried about how all that data will be used by those receiving it,” she explains. “Currently, there are very few laws protecting neurodata, with only California and Colorado having introduced some regulations. But the rest of the world is lagging behind.”

The rapid adoption of such technologies without adequate consumer education is another challenge Saima highlights. “People are using these devices without fully understanding the implications of the data being collected,” she says. “It’s a matter of awareness, and we need to educate consumers about the risks involved.”

Balancing User Privacy with AI Innovation

As AI and machine learning technologies become increasingly prevalent, businesses are tasked with striking a balance between driving innovation and maintaining privacy standards. Saima stresses the importance of transparency in this process. “It starts with transparency and informing clients,” she says. “Let them know that the data they provide will be processed by AI tools, and make sure they understand your role as a data controller or processor, as per GDPR language.”

Transparency doesn’t stop at disclosure, though. Saima advocates for companies to follow through on their commitments by implementing privacy practices that align with their statements. “It’s not just about talking the talk; you need to take action,” she emphasizes. “This is especially important with tools like LLMs, which are already revolutionizing industries like healthcare. But just like any other tool, their potential for good can also be misused.”

Saima draws a parallel to the invention of the knife, which can be used for both positive and harmful purposes. “It’s a matter of education, integrity, and morality,” she says, noting that as we enter the fifth industrial revolution, the convergence of technology, ethics, and human values has never been more important. “We need people in this space who are both optimistic and cautious, guiding the next generation through these uncharted waters.”

The Path Forward: Privacy, Ethics, and Responsibility

For Saima, the future of data privacy and cybersecurity is not just about technology—it's about humanity. She sees a world where innovation must be accompanied by a strong ethical framework, one that prioritizes privacy, security, and human rights. As we move toward 2025 and beyond, Saima’s call for collaboration, transparency, and respect for privacy remains at the heart of her mission.

“My legacy is all about the convergence of different disciplines, the need for cooperation, and the importance of respecting one another in this space,” she reflects. “With AI and quantum computing just around the corner, we’re facing unprecedented challenges, and it’s crucial that we approach them with integrity and foresight.”

Saima's contributions to the fields of privacy, AI governance, and diversity in tech continue to shape the conversation around ethical innovation. Her vision for a future where technology serves humanity with respect and transparency is one that will undoubtedly influence the next generation of leaders in privacy and cybersecurity

Advocating for Women and Diversity in STEM

Having a deep-rooted belief in the power of diversity, Saima views it as essential for growth in the tech industry. “As a woman of color in STEM, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors, including many men, who supported me during my career journey,” she shares. Her journey has been shaped by various disciplines—engineering, life sciences, law, and philosophy—all of which have influenced her unique approach to data privacy and cybersecurity.

Saima actively works to encourage young women, especially those who don’t have a STEM background, to explore technology and data privacy. She believes in the power of self-learning and views the accessibility of information today as a catalyst for this change. "We live in a time where learning doesn’t stop," she says. "And it’s not just about women—everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow in this space."

Her advocacy is not limited to her own experience; she strives to help others by providing a safe space for mentorship. As the Canada lead for Women in AI Governance and a chapter chair for Toronto's IAPP KnowledgeNet, Saima’s goal is to create opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in AI and data privacy fields.

Collaboration Across Disciplines

A key component of Saima’s work is her emphasis on cross-functional collaboration. She recognizes that in today’s technological landscape, the integration of various disciplines—law, engineering, philosophy, and political science—is crucial for addressing the complex issues surrounding data privacy and cybersecurity.

“At Twitter, where I worked as a privacy engineer, we collaborated across departments—data governance, AI governance, legal, engineering, communications, and HR,” Saima recalls. "In an organization of that size, it was crucial for everyone to be on the same page, especially when dealing with massive amounts of data."

Her work in privacy engineering was shaped by an education program that merged philosophy, law, political science, and cybersecurity—something Saima believes is essential for the modern tech workforce. “Education has to be a merger of disciplines, not a siloing of knowledge,” she emphasizes.

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Preparing the Next Generation of Privacy Professionals

As someone who mentors young professionals, Saima encourages them to stay curious and embrace continuous learning. “Don’t ever think you know it all,” she advises. “You’ll always find yourself in a room with people smarter than you. That’s the best place to be.”

She also emphasizes the importance of approaching the field with a mindset open to growth. "Data privacy and cybersecurity are new fields that involve many societal and ethical elements. So, never box yourself in—bring in diverse knowledge to create robust frameworks."

Building Community and Advocacy in Privacy

Building a sense of community in the rapidly evolving landscape of privacy and cybersecurity is also something Saima is deeply passionate about. “We have the tools to connect and engage with each other like never before, especially through platforms like LinkedIn,” she explains. "But it’s important to give back as much as you receive. It’s not just about what you can take, but how you can contribute to the community."

Saima’s efforts also extend to creating safe spaces for conversation and learning, especially for young women in the industry. "When we hosted the inaugural Women in AI Governance Canada chapter event in Toronto, we created a space where young women could speak openly, without fear of judgment or criticism," she recalls.

However, her advocacy isn’t limited to women. As a mother of a son, Saima recognizes that men also face their own set of challenges. Her goal is to create spaces where everyone—regardless of gender—can feel supported and empowered.

Leaving a Legacy of Collaboration, Respect, and Diversity

Looking ahead, Saima hopes her legacy will serve as a testament to the importance of collaboration across disciplines and the need to respect and value diverse perspectives in the field of tech. “If there was ever a time where respect and cooperation were needed, it is now,” she says. “We’re in the fifth industrial revolution, and it’s not just about technology—it’s about humanity.”

Saima’s dedication to the intersection of technology, privacy, and diversity will undoubtedly continue to inspire the next generation of privacy and cybersecurity professionals. For her, it’s all about creating a more inclusive and ethically-minded tech industry—one that doesn’t just embrace diversity but actively seeks it out, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.

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