Roba Hamam: Pioneering The Future Of Ipr At The Intersection Of Law & AI

In a world where technology and human purpose are more connected than ever, Roba Hamam, Partner and Legal Director at AIP Genius is one of the few leaders who powerfully represent this balance. With a 20-year career spanning human rights, intellectual property, and the emerging frontier of AI-driven legal innovation, she exemplifies a rare blend of ethical conviction and human-centered leadership.

Roba's journey began in Lebanon, where coincidence led her into the field of law. Being fascinated by justice and women’s empowerment, soon law became Roba’s passion. Her early work in human rights shaped her belief that economic power is the foundation of lasting change for women. This insight drew her into IP, a field she views as a reflection of human creativity and societal evolution.

As Roba’s professional journey progressed, she moved from devising anti-counterfeiting systems internally and tackling domain name disputes to being in charge of legal functions and representing BMW as their Brand Protection Manager in the MENA.

A relocation to Geneva expanded her global footprint. She collaborated with the Saudi Authority for IP and worked with WIPO on regional development and academic initiatives, experiences that gave her a broader view of global IP ecosystems and the disparities in access and infrastructure that still exist. Ultimately, this journey led her to AIP Genius, where she now co-builds responsible AI tools that elevate transparency, accuracy, accessibility, and efficiency in IP management.

What inspired your journey into law and IPR?

My journey into law began almost accidentally. Growing up in Lebanon, I was practical and science-oriented, and law initially felt dense and full of jargon. A friend encouraged me to give it a year, and I quickly became fascinated by its logical structure. I focused on human rights, especially women’s rights, completing a thesis on women’s political participation in the MENA region.

Wanting to create tangible impact, I shifted to the private sector to empower women economically. Intellectual property attracted me because I see it as a human right—copyright protects creativity, patents reflect scientific discovery, and trademarks drive economic development. Strengthening women’s participation in IP strengthens society. Today, as AI becomes more present, I believe IP is how humanity continues to assert its agency over its own future.

What motivated you to join AIP Genius? How did your past experience prepare you to lead its legal and AI-driven initiatives?

I joined AIP Genius because it offered the chance to build practical, human-centered tools at a pivotal moment in AI evolution. After two decades in IP and legal tech, I’ve learned that innovation is most effective when deeply connected to user needs and AIP Genius aligned with this philosophy.

My career prepared me for this role in several ways. I began as a paralegal in Beirut, eventually leading my department, then became Head of Legal at a major IP firm in Dubai while managing BMW’s brand-protection efforts across the MENA region. These roles revealed how time-intensive and fragmented IP work can be, and where technology could create meaningful improvements.

In Geneva, I consulted for the Saudi IP Office and later supported WIPO’s regional development and academic programs. This broadened my understanding of global disparities in IP systems and how technology can close gaps in access, consistency, and efficiency.

Along the way, I pursued continuous learning earning an LLM in IP, studying AI and IP, and teaching myself the technological foundations needed to collaborate effectively with AI teams. This blend of regional experience, legal depth, and technical understanding now guides my work at AIP Genius, where I lead legal strategy and help shape AI-driven solutions.

What challenges have you encountered over the course of your professional journey, and how have you addressed them?

The challenges I faced were both environmental and internal. As a young woman working in the MENA region, I was told certain roles weren’t “suitable” for women. I encountered unequal pay and had to prove myself repeatedly first through competence, then through persistence. I invested in my growth, seeking roles where I could influence systems, and advocating for other women. These experiences shaped my resilience and leadership style.

The human side of everything matters most. Every task, big or small, deserves the same commitment and integrity

Internal challenges emerged as technology rapidly evolved. Working in IP amid accelerating technological change required continuous adaptation. AI challenged long-held assumptions about creativity, authorship, and responsibility. Collaborating with developers demands learning to bridge legal and technical perspectives. To overcome this, I embraced continuous learning studying agile methodologies, following AI advancements, and understanding how tools are built. This helps me identify opportunities and risks, ensuring innovation remains responsible and human-centered.

Another challenge is the widening gap between technological progress and regulatory development. This makes ethics central to my work: ensuring innovation serves people, not the other way around. These experiences taught me that resilience and reflection must go hand in hand, and that progress requires adaptability grounded in integrity.

How do you foresee AI and emerging technologies transforming IPR?

AI and emerging technologies will fundamentally reshape intellectual property. As global connectivity increases, technology will make IP protection faster, more cost-effective, and more accessible. SMEs will benefit from reduced administrative burdens, while large corporations will gain tools to manage vast portfolios more efficiently.

I believe the future requires strong, unified IP infrastructure. Though countries currently operate on different systems, we are moving toward a fully digital global IP environment. Technology will help build the accessible, standardized framework needed to make IP management simple and affordable for all.

What principles guide your work? What advice would you give to aspiring women leaders?

Integrity, humanity, and purpose guide my work. Systems whether legal or technological must always serve people.

My advice to aspiring women leaders: never let others define your limits. Invest in your growth, trust your voice, and step boldly into spaces not built with you in mind. And as you advance, support the next generation leadership is something you claim, not wait to be offered.

Roba Hamam, Partner And Legal Director, AIP Genius

Roba Hamam is the Partner and Legal Director at AIP Genius, a trailblazing company where the two fields of intellectual property and AI-driven legal solutions meet. Roba, who was raised in Lebanon, initially worked in human rights but later found her passion in law and IP as means to make a positive change in society.