Derek Kilroe is the kind of person who casually drops phrases like “AI revolution” — and then actually does something about it. A former biomedical engineer with the Royal Air Force, Derek now leads cutting-edge AI innovation, building platforms that automate complex business processes while letting humans focus on the good stuff. Ras Al Khaimah won him over with its potential, open space, and cycling-friendly roads — and in return, he’s bringing global AI ambition, inclusive leadership, and big-picture thinking to the emirate. Think engineer’s brain, visionary mindset, and community-first heart.
Interview Highlights
From RAF to AI: Derek spent 12 years as a biomedical engineer in the Royal Air Force before diving headfirst into software, AI, and building future-ready tech platforms. Casual career pivot, no big deal.
Why Ras Al Khaimah? It started with friendships, a few visits, and a strong gut feeling — RAK felt like an emerging city with space to grow, breathe, and build something meaningful (plus, great cycling routes help).
AI with purpose: Derek isn’t just chasing buzzwords. His goal is to make RAK a serious player in AI by bringing top-of-the-tree autonomous technology into the region.
Proudly inclusive: Four out of six of his autonomous partnerships are led by female CEOs — something Derek calls out as a point of real pride, especially in the tech and AI space.
AI that actually saves money: From automating visa processing by 95% to reducing student onboarding costs to $1 per month per student, his AI platform isn’t flashy — it’s brutally efficient.
Tech for good: One of his proudest projects? An AI solution that makes digital content accessible to people who are deaf, blind, or have learning difficulties — because content shouldn’t be exclusive.
Advice for newcomers: This is RAK’s moment. Get involved, make connections, embrace the culture — and yes, maybe check out WOW-RAK to see what’s happening around town 😉
Pull Out Quotes
“Our vision is to become the leader in autonomous application creation.”
“Having four of our CEOs female is something I’m really proud of.”
“In the future we’ll only communicate with applications by voice — we won’t use menu systems anymore.
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About the Collaboration (WOW-RAK × E-Find RAK)
When storytelling meets discovery — you get a front-row seat to Ras Al Khaimah’s most inspiring journeys. That’s exactly what happens when WOW-RAK, the city’s lifestyle voice, joins hands with E-Find RAK, the digital compass for local talent and businesses. Think of it as your backstage pass to the people shaping RAK — with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of personality.
Together, we’re lifting the curtain on the movers and makers behind the emirate’s glow-up. From boardrooms to beach walks, RAK Icons brings you real stories from real legends — all rooted right here in Ras Al Khaimah.
Together, we’re putting the spotlight where it belongs: on the people behind the scenes — the dreamers, doers, and change-makers who are building, creating, and inspiring in Ras Al Khaimah. From accountants to artists, chefs to CEOs, RAK Icons is our way of saying, “Hey, have you met this amazing human yet?”
Because Ras Al Khaimah isn’t just about the views — it’s about the visionaries. And this collaboration is here to tell their stories, one incredible local at a time.
- E-Find RAK YouTube Channel
- WOW-RAK Homepage
- Submit a Story Tip (info@wow-rak.com)
