Riad has been contributing to the development of leading edge information and data technologies, mostly out of Silicon Valley as a base, where he participated in building multiple venture capital backed technology startups with highly successful exits, advising on strategic investments and rolling out innovative technologies all over the world. He has been an advisor to numerous tech startup ventures from inception to growth stage, and a trusted advisor to governments, investment funds, regulators and global corporations, including some of the top 10 tech companies and top 10 tech investment firms in the world. Earlier, he held leadership roles in Fortune 100 and prestigious R&D centers primarily in the USA, Japan, Korea, Canada and France. Contributions included the development of Internet, Wireless, Cloud, Cyber-security, Space-Internet, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence innovations, leading to numerous academic and industrial awards worldwide. He is a frequent invited chair/speaker at industry events and contributor to lead journals, patent/inventions holder, board member, angel investor, adjunct professor and invited lecturer at multiple universities worldwide. He has been inducted into the “New Internet” Hall of Fame.

Riad has lived and worked in diverse regions of the world in every continent, gaining a broad understanding of cross-cultural technology management and business development. He holds two Engineering and a Master degree (Applied Math & Industrial), all with highest distinctions, was awarded a Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence with highest honors from the University of Paris and finalized his doctoral and postdoctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley and completed his Executive Business Education at Stanford Graduate School of Business. His recently authored book titled "Tech Nomads of the Universe" is a collection of interview-driven essays highlighting a journey through regions and through time, canvassing the cultural, historical, geographical and governmental forces that drive technology innovation around the world.