Omar Haroun is a serial entrepreneur and business executive with a background in AI, ethics, and law. Omar founded Text IQ in 2014, an AI company that successfully commercialized machine learning and provided AI solutions to Global 2000 corporations, global law firms, and government agencies. As part of his role at Text IQ, Omar drove a commercialization strategy which included leading the company’s fundraising, sales, marketing, and customer success programs. Omar also led and oversaw the launch of the Unconscious Bias Detector, a tool utilized by prominent law firms to uncover instances of unconscious bias in performance reviews. Text IQ was recognized as a Top 100 AI company by CB Insights and included in Fast Company's annual list of "World Changing Ideas." In 2021, Text IQ was acquired by Relativity, the largest legal technology company globally. Since the acquisition, Omar has been advising Relativity's CEO and leadership team on AI/ML opportunities and ethical considerations related to AI model training and development.
Throughout his career, Omar has been actively involved in hosting and leading panel discussions, colloquiums, and workshops on AI and ethics. He has engaged with general counsels, industry leaders, AI experts, and journalists on topics such as algorithmic bias, generative AI, AI regulations, and the need for updated laws to address AI risks. Before his involvement with Text IQ, Omar served as founder & CEO of Sportaneous, a consumer health company. As part of this work, Omar received the Champion of Change Award from President Obama for his notable contributions in promoting health and wellness to underserved populations. Sportaneous was acquired by Greatist in 2014, which subsequently merged with Healthline.
Omar holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from Columbia University, where he was a Stone scholar. He also obtained an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MA from Oxford University with a focus on Philosophy and Ethics, and a BA in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.
Omar currently resides in Pacifica, California, a coastal town south of San Francisco, where he enjoys surfing, hiking, spending time with his family, and constantly thinking about his next meal.