AIM Faculty
Bachir Halimi
Lecturer and entrepreneur
A world-class entrepreneur. His innovations helped bring Arabic and other non-Latin languages to modern computer systems.
Biography
Bachir Halimi is an Algerian-Canadian serial entrepreneur and technology innovator with over four decades of experience in software, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence. He is the founder of several companies, including Alis Technologies, where he developed pioneering multilingual computing solutions that enabled Arabic and other non-Latin scripts on personal computers, later licensed by major players such as Microsoft. He went on to create and lead multiple ventures in cloud communications and speech technologies, with partnerships across global firms including IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and Bell Canada. His work has contributed to advances in enterprise communications, language technologies, and digital transformation. Beyond entrepreneurship, Halimi serves on the boards of technology companies and nonprofit organizations and is a frequent keynote speaker on innovation, digital transformation, and the future of technology. Recognized for his scientific and entrepreneurial contributions, he received the Canadian CTI Golden Award and the Algerian Scholar Medal in recognition of his impact on technology and innovation.
Academic training
- M. Sc. Computer Science, University of Montreal Thesis: Programmable Cryptographic Systems. Designed a new cryptographic system called COLPO (1984)
- B. Sc. Computer Science, University of Montreal Specialized in Operating Systems and Software Development (1978)
Expertise and specialties
Experience
- Founder and CTO, Speech Mobility Inc. (2012-2024) — cloud business phone technology Evatel, sold to Iristel in 2024
- Founder, Excendia Inc. (2001-2011) — business mobility virtual assistant, strategic partnership with Intel and Microsoft
- Founder, MediaSoft Telecom Inc. (1987-2000), became Elix after merging with Prima — acquired by Bell Canada in 2004
- Founder, Alis Technologies Inc. (1981-1987) — Arabic computing technology acquired by Microsoft in 1986
- Board Member, Senior Technology Advisor, then Chief Technology Officer, Canadian Red Cross (2016-2020)
- International Speaker on IP-based communications, speech technologies and virtual assistants (2000-present)
- Speaker on interactive communications and high-capacity telephone networks (1990-2000)
- Speaker on Arabic computing and standardization (1981-1990)
- Co-founder, Fondation Club Avenir (since 2002)
- Board Member, Canadian high-tech companies hosted by Inno-centre (1997-1999)
