In this concise 6‑question interview, Professor Pete Alexander talks with Jamila Mimar (also known as Djamila Amimer), founder of MindSenses Global, about the emerging AI landscape and its relevance for businesses. Jamila explains that AI is still in its infancy, offering ample opportunity for innovation, and emphasizes the importance of digital transformation—especially highlighted by the COVID‑19 pandemic. She advises leaders to start adopting AI, noting projected $30 billion in additional revenue by 2030 and stressing that AI must become part of a company’s cultural DNA rather than a mere tool. Jamila also recommends fellow AI‑focused entrepreneur Nancy Niems for future podcast episodes and shares how her first role in strategy and planning within the energy sector taught her long‑term investment decision‑making skills that are transferable to entrepreneurship. The episode concludes with contact details (LinkedIn and www.mindsenses.co.uk).
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This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast, where business leaders share their insights. It is 6 questions in 7 minutes because successful business leaders are busy and rarely have more time to spare. So let's get to it. Question number 1: In a few sentences, please tell me who you are and and what you do.
Hi, my name is Jamila, Jamila Mimar. I'm the founder of MindSenses Global with a mission to help businesses apply AI.
Jamila, it's great to have you on the show. Question number 2: What's the best thing about working in your industry?
I really like the fact that AI is still in its infancy, so there are a lot of scope for, uh, addressing new questions, coming up with the new tools, you know, coming— becoming more innovative.
Yeah, I've been to several conferences pre-COVID where talking about all the new things that AI can help with, in particular in the marketing and customer service field. So it's an exciting field, definitely. Question number 3. I have a fictitious book with all the answers for business. What chapter would you think most companies should read?
That's a great question. So I think the chapter I will recommend is the digital transformation chapter. I think COVID-19 has highlighted how technology is important. And I don't mean only, you know, working virtually. It's the whole spectrum of technologies, including disruptive technologies. So that's the chapter I would recommend.
I think that's very wise. Thank you. Question number 4: other than the generic work harder, have a great attitude, and care for customers, what advice or insight would you give to other business leaders?
My advice is around adopting artificial intelligence. So if you are a business or an entrepreneur who hasn't yet adopted and applied AI, my advice to you is please start, you know, consider it. The benefits of AI is huge. There are like some statistics that shows that projection of $30 billion by 2030 that could be additional revenues for businesses. AI can help throughout kind of the business sectors in reducing costs, improving margins, new demand, new market, customer satisfaction. So please start thinking of it. Because it takes a lot of time, you know, to get it right.
And I think that that's very wise, as you say, that it takes time to get it right because many people think that AI is just a computer and it doesn't know anything, but it learns. Am I correct?
Definitely. So there is the learning component, which is huge, but AI, as you said, is not just a tool. It's basically a way of thinking. You need to adapt it and embed it in your company. It has to be part of your DNA, of the culture of the company. Otherwise, it's going to break down somewhere, you know, down the road.
I think that that's very interesting, the DNA of the company. Well said. Thank you so much. Question number 5: What other business leader like yourself would you like to acknowledge and invite to be on my podcast?
Oh, there are plenty of them. I think my recommendation will be to interview Nancy Niems. She's the founder of humanize. She's like an AI humanist. So I think she'll be great addition to your podcast.
Great. Thank you for that referral. I'll reach out to her. And our final question, question number 6, please tell me about your first job.
Oh, that's ages ago, but my first job was in strategy and planning in the energy sector. And so it was a great role with like a lot of responsibilities. But what I have learned is how to plan for long-term investments. And how to make investment decisions, which are, I think, are crucial, you know, skills to have.
Absolutely. From any kind of role that you would have after that, I'm sure that you've been able to tap into the learnings that you had from that first job.
Yeah, because those are transferable skills, you know, you can apply it, you know, into kind of, you know, starting up like a new venture, how to make decisions, how to evaluate projects, or like a lot of things you can apply it.
Absolutely. So Jamila, thank you so much for being on the show. How can people find you?
Well, thank you for having me. People can find me on LinkedIn. They can also find me in, in my company's website, www.mindsenses.co.uk.
Perfect. This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast. Thanks for listening.
