Who is Mo Gawdat?
Mo Gawdat is an Egyptian-born engineer, entrepreneur, and thought leader widely recognized for his multifaceted career in technology and his passionate advocacy for happiness. With a foundation in civil engineering from Ain Shams University and an MBA from the Maastricht School of Management, Mo Gawdat's early interest in technology propelled him into influential roles at industry giants like IBM, NCR, Microsoft, and, most notably, Google X.
Career Highlights
- Chief Business Officer at Google X: Mo Gawdat led the commercialization of some of Google’s most ambitious projects—including Project Loon and Project Makani—and played a crucial role in expanding Google’s footprint into 50 new markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe.
- Serial Entrepreneur: Beyond his corporate achievements, Mo Gawdat has co-founded over 20 businesses across various sectors, including health, fitness, real estate, and technology advisory.
- Advisory & Speaking Roles: Mo is a respected member on multiple advisory boards and is a sought-after speaker, known for his engaging insights on artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, well-being, and future trends.
Life-Altering Personal Mission
Mo Gawdat’s career took a profound turn after the sudden loss of his son, Ali, in 2014 due to a preventable medical error. Channeling his grief into purpose, Mo embarked on a mission to decode the science of happiness, aiming to share his findings with the world. This journey led him to write his first international bestseller:
Key Books by Mo Gawdat
| Title | Year | Theme/Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy | 2017 | A practical algorithm for achieving lasting happiness, inspired by his son Ali and twelve years of research. |
| Scary Smart: The Future of Artificial Intelligence and How You Can Save Our World | 2021 | How humanity can coexist with rapidly advancing AI. |
| That Little Voice in Your Head: Adjust the Code That Runs Your Brain | 2022 | Techniques to optimize your mental software for well-being. |
| Unstressable: A Practical Guide to Stress-Free Living | 2024 | Tools and strategies to manage and eliminate stress. |
Mo Gawdat’s books have been translated into over 30 languages and have topped bestseller lists worldwide, reaching audiences across the globe.
#OneBillionHappy: A Vision for Global Happiness
After sharing his story and happiness model in Solve for Happy, Mo launched the #OneBillionHappy movement—an ambitious moonshot to make one billion people happier by spreading practical lessons on happiness, resilience, and emotional well-being.
Podcast and Media Influence
Mo hosts “Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat,” where he interviews influential thinkers on happiness, mindfulness, personal growth, and technology. The podcast has become a leading platform for mental health and personal development discussions.
Mo Gawdat’s Core Philosophies
- Happiness is a Choice: “Happiness is not a coincidence, it is not given to you by life, it’s entirely our responsibility.”
- Mindfulness and Presence: “All of life is here and now. So why do most of us live there and then instead?”
- Practical Wisdom: “Success is not an essential prerequisite to happiness… happiness does contribute to success.”
Mo Gawdat’s Lasting Impact
Mo Gawdat’s journey—from tech executive to global happiness ambassador—demonstrates the power of blending analytical thinking with deep empathy. His practical frameworks for happiness, emotional intelligence, and stress reduction inspire millions to live more fulfilling, present, and meaningful lives.
By sharing his story and actionable strategies through books, talks, podcasts, and the #OneBillionHappy initiative, Mo Gawdat continues to influence the worlds of technology and personal development, showing that happiness is not just attainable but scalable in the digital age.