Cover Ayesha Khanna, founder of Addo AI, espouses a fiercely humanistic vision where stalwart technology infrastructures help to unlock the full potential of data, industries and people
Ayesha Khanna, founder of Addo AI, espouses a fiercely humanistic vision where stalwart technology infrastructures help to unlock the full potential of data, industries and people
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In celebration of Singapore’s 60 years of independence, Tatler looks at how the country continues to make an outsized mark on the world—not through scale, but through foresight and ambition. From tech visionaries and design trailblazers to cultural leaders and a decorated Paralympian, these individuals reflect the nation’s unique blend of agility, integrity and global influence rooted in a strong sense of identity. Here, Ayesha Khanna shares how she's championing human potential and inclusive tech, and in turn, a more equitable future
For almost two decades, Dr Ayesha Khanna has been shaping global nerve centres for artificial intelligence (AI)—from Asia Pacific to North America. A visionary technologist and the founder of leading AI solutions firm Addo AI, Khanna is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in human-centric innovation.
When she arrived in Singapore 13 years ago from Wall Street, she quickly noticed a gap between the sophisticated, data-powered operations of financial institutions in New York and the underutilised potential of businesses across Asia. Armed with a PhD in information systems and years of experience in computational finance and emerging technologies, Khanna launched Addo AI—a boutique consultancy of elite AI scientists and engineers—designed to help organisations translate algorithms into action.
“We’re not a general management consultancy. We’re a deep-tech firm focused on results,” she explains. “Our role is to help companies use AI and data to become more productive, more customer-centric, and more future-ready.”
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Above Ayesha Khanna wears Tiffany & Co HardWear earrings, necklace and rings in yellow gold set with diamonds; Tory Burch blouse and skirt
Ayesha Khanna wears Tiffany & Co HardWear earrings, necklace and rings in yellow gold set with diamonds; Tory Burch blouse and skirt
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Today, Addo AI is a global digital force.
Its client roster includes Pfizer, one of the world’s largest life sciences companies; SMRT, Singapore's largest public transport provider; and Smart Dubai, the government agency driving Dubai’s smart city transformation. From infrastructure to healthcare and manufacturing, the tech futurist has emerged as a leading advocate for AI integration across sectors—long before the global AI hype reached a fever pitch.
Yet what sets Ayesha Khanna apart is her fiercely humanistic vision for the future. She’s quick to challenge the fear-based narrative that AI is here to replace human work. “I don’t believe it will replace us,” she says. “Our roles may evolve, but AI should support us. It should be like a junior partner—enhancing what we already do, not erasing it.”
This conviction is rooted in her early academic training. Before diving into technology, Khanna studied development economics and interned with human rights organisations—an unusual path for a tech leader, but one that still shapes her approach today. “My background made me deeply aware of equity,” she says. “It’s why I care so much about access and inclusion.”
Her belief in democratising AI access is most evident through her non-profit education platform, Amplify, which has introduced thousands of young women to AI fundamentals, coding and data literacy. “I don't tolerate elitism,” she says. “I truly believe anyone can understand these concepts if they’re given the right opportunity.”
Her work in both the private and public sectors has earned her a seat at some of the most influential tables in the world—from the World Economic Forum and Infocomm Media Development Authority to global private equity giant EQT Partners. Yet her focus remains pragmatic and grounded: making AI not just scalable, but meaningful.
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Above Ayesha Khanna shares insights on how AI is revolutionising businesses, the impact of AI in the classroom, and why seeing AI as adding to and not replacing human talent is crucial in the future of work (Video: Science Centre Singapore)
Singapore, she says, has played a critical role in Addo AI’s success. “Singapore consistently ranks among the top countries in AI innovation. It has a trusted governance framework, strong educational ecosystem, and a culture of curiosity,” she says. “That makes it a perfect launchpad for any company working at the frontier of tech.”
As the world faces both excitement and anxiety around AI, Khanna offers clarity and calm. “This is not a cost-cutting story. It’s a growth story,” she affirms. For her, the promise of AI lies not in replacing human intelligence but in enhancing human potential.
At the forefront of the global AI evolution, Ayesha Khanna embodies the most forward-looking traits of her adopted nation—resilience, pragmatism, and an unwavering commitment to inclusive progress. Her legacy isn’t just one of innovation; it’s one of empowerment, driven by the belief that the best of technology should amplify the best of who we are.
Read more stories from our August issue and Tatler's SG60 coverage here.
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Credits
Jewellery: Tiffany & Co HardWear earrings, necklace and rings in yellow gold set with diamonds
Photography: Darren Gabriel Leow
Make-Up: Grego using Shu Uemura
Hair: Grego
Outfit: Tory Burch blouse and skirt
Styling: Adriel Chiun
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Dana Koh is the Editor-in-Chief of Tatler Singapore, where she leads the award-winning title’s editorial strategy and multi-platform content execution across print, digital, branded storytelling and community-driven experiences. With over a decade in luxury and business media—including years at Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar—she specialises in human-centred narratives, engaging video productions and curated dialogues that explore innovation, transformational leadership, wellness and cultural capital. Her goal at Tatler? To feature, connect and catalyse the voices and visions shaping modern Asia—from legacy builders to thoughtful disruptors who fearlessly rewrite the codes of luxury, the roads to success, and meaning of impact.
