The Geeky Nomads

Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan
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Why should all tech news be just focused on the USA/Canada/Australia/European regions? That's what The Geeky Nomads have set out to change. Meet Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan (third-culture millennials born in Dubai and Doha, hailing from Hyderabad), based between the USA and Qatar who want to keep you informed on all the quirky things that revolve around technology, consumer gadgets, social media, and digital-related topics across the Middle East and North Africa region (sometimes even in South Asia as well). If it's global, we want to emphasize the regional relevance.

  1. Year in Review: Middle East's headlines while Flying High

    12/22/2025

    Year in Review: Middle East's headlines while Flying High

    As 2025 crawls to its conclusion, we look back on the whole season with the Middle East grabbing plenty of headlines spanning three major countries. What better way to reflect than with another episode at 36,000ft up in the air featuring our c-host. With the whole focus on AI and even branching out to mergers/acquisitions, there hasn't been a quiet period at all. Yet, there are some surprises that have crept in as well including Qatar joining their neighbor's ranks with their own efforts related to AI and many more. With the podcast, it's been a significant step-up as we brought on guests focused on many themes relevant to the Middle East region itself. --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. Yasser Masood (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠⁠Website⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

    55 min
  2. Tech Giants Rushing Into Saudi Arabia with Sami Fathi

    12/12/2025

    Tech Giants Rushing Into Saudi Arabia with Sami Fathi

    Sami Fathi's love for tech and writing began as an editor to the popular Apple news site ⁠MacRumors in 2021⁠, making him one of the few Arabs (even quite a young one) to publish for a global and popular site covering the latest rumors/announcements on Apple while residing in Saudi Arabia. Since leaving the role in January 2023, he's become a prominent tech commentator and Apple observer via his ⁠X account⁠ and publishing on ⁠Cupertino Lens⁠, while also representing Saudi Arabia internationally on behalf of ⁠MISK⁠. With 2025 being a major year that saw many tech announcements made for and in Saudi Arabia, we dove deep into the country's growing influence and strategic goals as they spread their influence and showcase the opportunities leading upto the country's Nation Vision 2030. As a citizen of Saudi Arabia, Sami has witnessed the evolving tech landscape in the region, chiming in on Apple's expansion into Saudi Arabia (after many years), and the importance of human capital in driving tech growth. From the challenges tech companies face in the Middle East to the ambitions of Saudi youth, nothing is off the 'virtual majlis'. With the likes of NVIDIA, Qualcomm, AMD, Adobe and more tech heavyweights announcing new ventures and partnerships, Sami highlights the potential of Saudi Arabia as a new hub for technology in the MENA region. The results also impact Vision 2030 on the country's economy and the wider region. -- Chapters -- 00:00 Episode overview 03:10 Sami Fathi's beginnings at MacRumors 06:25 Navigating the Media Landscape as a Saudi Tech Commentator 12:32 Apple's Expansion into Saudi Arabia 20:33 Apple's Strategic Approach to Market Entry 24:51 The Silicon Valley Tour by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince 27:39 The Tech Savviness of Saudi Citizens 28:34 USA vs Middle East: process simplicity and efficiency 35:01 Big tech names opening up: Is it enough? 36:04 Investing in Human Capital 42:34 Opportunities for Young Saudis 44:04 Sami's multiple hats and Saudi society behavioural trends 46:59 Global Brands' mistakes entering Middle East region 50:25 Geographic parity on feature rollouts 54:05 Middle East at the bottom for global brands 57:23 MENA feature rollouts yet only UE and Saudi Arabia are highlighted 01:00:21 Future Innovations from Apple 01:03:19 Final remarks as Saudi forges ahead to Vision 2030 --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. Yasser Masood (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠Website⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

    1h 10m
  3. The latest from Web Summit Lisbon 2025

    11/14/2025

    The latest from Web Summit Lisbon 2025

    Gazanfarulla Khan travels from Doha, Qatar to Lisbon, Portugal to attend the 10th edition of Web Summit Lisbon - the main anchor event among all the Web Summit chapters held throughout the year. Along with highlighting the Lisbon event's significance, the focus for the event has still been on AI and alongside the growing demands for it across industries. With more than 71,000 attendees also including representation of women in startups, Khan even chimes in on the intersection of technology and Formula 1. As the calendar year draws to a close, Qatar is also set to host WSJ Tech Live Qatar and MWC Doha in the coming weeks. Plus, we expand a bit more on our next episode related to job hunting in the Middle East region. Related readings referenced in the episode: Microsoft's AI Diffusion reportProgress of Stargate UAEMicrosoft's $15.2Bn investment in UAE for AI -- Chapters -- 00:00 Onsite in Lisbon, Portugal 04:38 Web Summit Lisbon's Opening Night 10:19 AI Trends and Innovations at Web Summit Lisbon 17:46 Investment Trends and Market Dynamics 19:44 Energy consumption trends for AI Data Centers 23:42 Women in Startups and Social Impact 26:41 Upcoming episode on job hunting in the MENA region 28:08 Career Ladder at Web Summit Lisbon 30:03 Web Summit Lisbon Highlights 35:29 F1 at Web Summit 42:10 Media Landscape and Opportunities 45:35 WSJ Tech Live in Qatar 48:00 Ending Remarks

    52 min
  4. Untapped Power of Personal Branding in the MENA region with Sabine Kuhn

    09/08/2025

    Untapped Power of Personal Branding in the MENA region with Sabine Kuhn

    Personal branding has been growing in places like the USA/Canada and Europe, and the MENA region is slowly seeing a shift in embracing it. South Asians and Arabs believe their social standing is completely tethered to a fancy job title and/or prominent business brand. We've invited Sabine Kuhn - founder of Talent and Truth, a boutique personal branding consultancy dedicated to building high-impact executive brands on LinkedIn and beyond - to expand and dive into the shift and trends of personal branding by professionals in the region. If you're looking to elevate and enhance your personal brand, we've got some actionable insights and even simple tricks to kick-start the process. You can use "50SIGNUPS" to avail her first course to kick-start your personal brand journey based on years of work with their pool of clients. Don't forget to follow Sabine Kuhn and Talent and Truth on LinkedIn. Watch the video version on YouTube. -- Chapters -- 00:00 Opening 00:33 Today's episode: Personal branding in MENA region 02:02 Introducing our guest 04:19 The Birth of Talent and Truth 08:11 Common Myths of Personal Branding 09:19 Cultural Perceptions in the MENA Region 13:05 Trends in Personal Branding 18:07 The Role of Content Creators for CEOs 20:18 Navigating LinkedIn and Instagram for Branding 27:17 Language and Quality Control 30:08 Common Pitfalls in Personal Branding 33:46 Balancing Authenticity and Professionalism 36:40 Understanding ROI in Personal Branding 40:29 Those who want LinkedIn Top Voice status 42:53 Challenge of Virality vs. Thought Leadership 47:21 Future of Recruitment and Likeability 52:04 Random: Yasser and Khan's presence on LinkedIn 54:58 Importance of Direct Communication 57:24 Building Connections on LinkedIn 58:49 Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile for success 01:02:47 Crafting an Engaging LinkedIn Biography 01:06:32 Establishing a Posting Routine 01:08:28 Future Directions for Talent and Truth 01:10:47 Learning from Experience 01:15:17 Overcoming Personal Branding Fears --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Yasser Masood (⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠)

    1h 22m
  5. Let's recap Web Summit Vancouver 2025

    07/17/2025

    Let's recap Web Summit Vancouver 2025

    Fellow tech enthusiasts! We're bringing you along on our journey to the first-ever Web Summit in Vancouver (previously known as Collision held in Toronto, Canada). We're diving into the heart of the tech world, sharing our personal experiences and the incredible energy of this event. From AI to machine learning, and the unique vibe of Vancouver, we're excited to share what we've discovered. - Chapters - 00:00 Introduction to Web Summit Vancouver 02:39 Comparing Web Summit Locations 05:05 Key Highlights from Web Summit Vancouver 08:23 Insights on BlueSky and Decentralized Social Networks 11:16 Startup Ecosystem and Investment Opportunities 14:13 Vancouver's Tech Landscape and Industry Drivers 17:08 Reflections on Event Organization and Experience 20:43 AI and Machine Learning Discussions 22:50 Closing Thoughts and Future Prospects 26:41 AI's Understanding of Identity 28:31 Governance and AI Accessibility 30:31 The Future of AI Investments 33:14 Media Presence and Community Engagement 39:55 The Evolution of Content Creation 49:05 Reflections on Web Summit Vancouver --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠⁠⁠⁠. Yasser Masood (⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠)

    54 min
  6. Talking aviation and sustainability in the Middle East with Shashank Nigam

    06/26/2025

    Talking aviation and sustainability in the Middle East with Shashank Nigam

    We're back with another episode up in the air at 36,000ft and going even higher with a guest joining us on the move while on-ground. Shashank Nigam (CEO of aviation consultancy Simpliflying) joins us to talk about the evolving landscape of the aviation industry, focusing on sustainability, connectivity innovations, and the role of technology in enhancing customer experience. We even explore the challenges and opportunities presented by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and the importance of airports in shaping the future of air travel. All while being focused on the Middle East region and the aviation players that have disrupted the status quo. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (01:30) Let's introduce our guest (04:30) Recent Boeing Aircraft Orders (05:35) The Impact of Technology on Air Travel (08:05) Riyadh Air's product strategy (09:04) In-flight Wi-Fi connectivity (11:37) The early path for in-flight connectivity (14:05) Enhancing Customer Experience with Connectivity (16:37) Personalized AI interactions for travellers (18:17) AI resolving a major issue (21:05) Airline apps that made inconveniences better (23:34) Airports as Key Differentiators (24:32) A Long-Term Vision for Smart Airports (26:14) The Role of Pre-Clearance Facilities (30:44) Innovative Funding for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) (33:03) Corporate Responsibility in Aviation Sustainability (36:44) Evolving Technologies and Government Policies in Aviation (39:59) Balancing Growth and Sustainability in Aviation (46:54) Navigating Connectivity Challenges (49:33) Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Middle East (52:16) Innovative Airport Designs for Sustainability (54:49) Leadership in Aviation Sustainability (56:03) Closing Thoughts and Future Directions (56:19) Navigating Connectivity Challenges (57:28) Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Middle East (01:00:12) Leadership in Aviation Sustainability (01:03:22) The Future of Airports and Airlines (01:06:26) Closing Thoughts and Future Insights --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠⁠⁠. Yasser Masood (⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠)

    1h 8m
  7. Conversing with Andy Kelly on iHeartMedia's international plans with the MENA region

    05/10/2025

    Conversing with Andy Kelly on iHeartMedia's international plans with the MENA region

    It's a new milestone for our podcast - we've brought our first guest, ready to unravel more of a big news piece we discussed a few episodes ago (hint: iHeartMedia). Andy Kelly, the Senior Vice President of Ruby (iHeartMedia's branded content studio), joins us to discuss the vision behind their international expansion in partnership with the GCO of Qatar, the role of podcasting in the region, and the importance of creating localised content. The conversation also highlights the significance of human connection in audio, the challenges and opportunities in the MENA market, and the future of audio advertising with international expansion. As of the moment the episode was published, Andy Kelly has been promoted to EVP of Global Brand Partnerships at iHeartMedia. - Chapters - (00:00) Introduction to iHeartMedia and Podcasting in MENA (02:57) The Journey of iHeartMedia's International Expansion (06:21) The Vision for Podcasting in the MENA Region (09:07) Insights from Web Summit Qatar 2025 (12:00) The Role of Audio in Advertising (15:19) Building a Podcasting Ecosystem in Qatar (18:08) Creating Localised Content for Diverse Audiences (21:11) Navigating Cultural Sensitivities in Content Creation (24:08) Live Events and Community Engagement (27:01) Future Plans for iHeartMedia in the MENA region (38:59) Building a Creative Hub in Doha, Qatar (42:03) The Future of Podcasting in MENA (45:04) Understanding the Podcast Audience (47:28) Collaborating with Regional Creators (52:16) Branded Content and Market Demand (53:52) Analytics and Support for Creators (56:00) The Importance of Storytelling in Podcasting --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠⁠. Yasser Masood (⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠)Gazanfarulla Khan (⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠) The Geeky Nomads (⁠Threads⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠)

    1h 1m
  8. Everything aviation and travel in the Middle East at 36,000ft in Business Class

    04/04/2025

    Everything aviation and travel in the Middle East at 36,000ft in Business Class

    This episode takes us to new heights — literally in every possible sense — as we decided to try something new. Gazanfarulla Khan was travelling to Montreal, and we recorded our episode live while Yasser was at home. The venue and occasion made it quite an ideal scenario to discuss something relevant to the Middle East region - airlines/aviation/airports with the intersection of technology and AI, particularly focused on the advancements in the Middle East. Tapping into Starlink technology for the in-flight Wi-Fi to record the episode, we cover everything related to: the digitization of airlines and airports, innovations in air traffic control, and the importance of sustainability in aviation. On a future note: the possible return of hypersonic travel and growth in space tourism, Middle East's role as a hub for aviation innovation, and the significance of personalization in enhancing customer experience to remove pain points in the journey. Note: These are our individual opinions, as I used to work for an airline and Khan is still currently employed at an airline. -- Chapters -- (00:00) Introduction and Unique Recording Setup (03:50) Technology in Aviation: A New Era (09:57) Innovations in Airport Experience (17:32) Sustainability in Aviation (23:19) Future Trends and Technologies in Aviation (32:15) The Rise of Hyper-Personalization in Aviation (33:42) Sustainability in Air Travel (35:41) The Future of Autonomous Technology in Aviation (38:03) Innovations in Space Travel and Hypersonic Flight (42:15) The Evolution of Airport Infrastructure in the Middle East (48:07) The Role of Innovation Hubs in Aviation (52:54) The Impact of Technology on the Travel Experience --- If you're keen to suggest topics that you'd want to hear more about with a Middle East focus, follow us on our accounts below and drop us a message. You can also suggest it ⁠⁠via Google Forms⁠. Yasser Masood (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube)Gazanfarulla Khan (LinkedIn, Instagram) The Geeky Nomads (Threads, Instagram, YouTube)

    58 min
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About

Why should all tech news be just focused on the USA/Canada/Australia/European regions? That's what The Geeky Nomads have set out to change. Meet Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan (third-culture millennials born in Dubai and Doha, hailing from Hyderabad), based between the USA and Qatar who want to keep you informed on all the quirky things that revolve around technology, consumer gadgets, social media, and digital-related topics across the Middle East and North Africa region (sometimes even in South Asia as well). If it's global, we want to emphasize the regional relevance.

Information

  • Creator
    Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan
  • Show Website
    The Geeky Nomads