I build AI for the languages and markets the world overlooked: voice-first products in Darija, Arabic and French, and the software real Moroccan businesses run on.
Leila Cheikhe
I grew up where the Sahara meets the Atlantic. Most technology here arrives in a language nobody speaks at home. So I build [AI that listens in Darija] and ship it to people who actually use it.
Things I've shipped.
Live products and delivered client work, built end to end, from the model to the interface.
From GPU kernels to the product.
I work across the whole stack, so an idea can go from a model on a GPU to something a customer holds in their hand.
GPU inference
Serving and optimising language models on AMD Instinct MI300X: kernels, memory-bound tuning and fast serving.
Model fine-tuning
Teaching open models low-resource languages and specific tasks with efficient and reinforcement-learning methods.
AI agents
Tool-using agents that are observable, tested and safe by design. Guardrails first, autonomy second.
Product engineering
Web apps, APIs, databases and deployment. The part that turns a model into something people use every day.
Founder first. Engineer by choice.
I was born in Dakhla, a long way from any tech campus. I started as a founder. Running a cooperative taught me pricing, operations and what customers really need.
Then I taught myself to build the systems: AI and full-stack engineering through Qwasar Silicon Valley, and deep work in GPU inference and LLM fine-tuning. Today I run JDM Studio, building AI for Arabic and Maghrebi speakers.
- 2026America 250 AI Fellowship, AI Cohort 2026
- 2026JDM Studio, founder
- 2026Wonderful and Co, AI engineering in a venture studio
- Since 2025Qwasar Silicon Valley, AI & full-stack engineering
- 2026 to 2030University of the People, B.S. Computer Science
- 2023 to 2026Elite Yassmin Cooperative, founder
A few moments I'm proud of.
America 250 AI FellowshipAI Cohort 2026 · supported by the U.S. Department of State
One of 25 fellows in a six-month programme on ethical AI and innovation, with Dar America Casablanca and the AFCD Foundation.
IBM Dev Day AI HackathonIBM · watsonx
Led ORBIT, a multi-agent orchestration system on watsonx Orchestrate.
National Award, Link Artisanal DakhlaKingdom of Morocco
Recognition for a programme connecting Dakhla's craftspeople to wider markets.
Digital Skills Cup, national top 20IT security track
Ranked among the top 20 in Morocco's national digital skills competition.
National Solidarity Generation AwardKingdom of Morocco
Awarded to Elite Yassmin Cooperative for entrepreneurship and community impact.