The AI Leader Who Learned to Code at Six: Chris Shayan’s Journey from Home Schooling to Global Impact

Originally posted by Sindhu V Kashyap in https://www.edgemiddleeast.com/business/the-ai-leader-who-learned-to-code-at-six-chris-shayans-journey-from-home-schooling-to-global-impact

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Chris Shayan, Head of AI, Backbase’s journey into the world of technology didn’t begin in a classroom filled with peers or under the guidance of a typical schoolteacher.

It began at home, in the quiet spaces where his mother played a pivotal role in shaping his education and view of the world. Shayan was homeschooled, a path that was unconventional yet profoundly influential.

Within this intimate setting, he first discovered the power of learning, nurtured not by rigid curriculums but by the boundless curiosity his mother encouraged.

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His mother was a formidable presence in his life, not just as a parent but as an educator with a unique approach to teaching. She had a particular gift for making complex concepts accessible and exciting, especially in mathematics, which would become the bedrock of Sayyan’s early intellectual pursuits.

“My mother was exceptional at maths,” Chris recalls with a sense of reverence. “She had this incredible ability to visualise mathematical concepts and made them come alive for me. It wasn’t just about numbers but about understanding the patterns and logic underpinning everything around us.”

In their home, learning wasn’t confined to textbooks or rigid schedules. Instead, it was an ongoing dialogue, a constant exploration of ideas that extended beyond the traditional boundaries of education. Chris’s mother believed in the power of visualisation, a technique she used to make abstract concepts tangible.

This approach resonated deeply with Chris, who was drawn to the idea that mathematics could be not just a subject to study but a lens through which to view the world.

But it wasn’t just mathematics that captivated young Chris. His education, rooted in the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling, allowed him to explore other interests, most notably technology.

The home environment provided him with the unique opportunity to immerse himself in the burgeoning world of computers at a time when most of his peers were still grappling with the basics of arithmetic and grammar.

In the early 1990s, Shayan’s older brother brought home a computer and a few programming books. Shayan was immediately drawn to these new tools, seeing in them the same patterns and logic that had intrigued him in mathematics.

“I was about six or seven years old,” Shayan recalled, “and my brother, who was learning programming himself, brought home some books on C++ and other languages. I was fascinated. My father needed accounting software for our family business, and my brother was working on developing that. I wanted to be part of it, to understand how these machines worked and how I could use them to create something meaningful.”

This curiosity wasn’t just a passing phase. Encouraged by his mother’s belief in the importance of self-directed learning, Chris began to teach himself how to code. His brother, recognising the intensity of Chris’s interest, provided him with his computer and more books to explore.

What started as an innocent curiosity quickly became a consuming passion. The house, filled with the sounds of his mother’s gentle instruction and clicking keys on a keyboard, became the incubator for Chris’s future career.

It was an environment that fostered exploration and experimentation, where mistakes were seen not as failures but as essential steps in the learning process.

“My mother never made me feel like I was doing something wrong if I didn’t get it right the first time,” Shayan explained. “Instead, she encouraged me to try different approaches, to see learning as a journey rather than a destination.”

This formative experience set the stage for everything that would follow. His mother’s nurturing guidance and the freedom to explore his interests at his own pace allowed Shayan to develop a deep, intuitive understanding of technology long before he entered the professional world. It was a foundation built on curiosity, creativity, and a relentless desire to understand how things worked.

As Shayan’s skills developed, so did his understanding of technology’s potential. He began to see coding as a way to make computers do what he wanted and as a powerful tool for solving real-world problems. His early projects, including creating a primary data visualisation platform for his father’s business, were more than technical exercises.

They were early manifestations of his belief that technology could be used to make meaningful contributions to the world.

“My mother played a huge role in helping me see the connection between what I was learning and how it could be applied in real life,” Shayan reflected. “She showed me that learning wasn’t just about acquiring knowledge; it was about using that knowledge to make a difference.”

This philosophy would guide Shayan throughout his career, from his early days as a self-taught coder to his current role as Head of AI at a leading technology firm. His journey was anything but conventional. While many of his peers followed the traditional route of university education, Shayan chose a different path.

He became a self-directed learner, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a relentless desire to master the tools that had captivated him from such a young age.

“My path was indeed more unconventional,” he admitted. “While I didn’t attend university in the traditional sense, I have always been a lifelong learner. I immersed myself in self-learning, taking countless online courses to build my skills. Even today, I continue this practice. Every year, I set a goal to complete at least two or three courses, covering a wide range of subjects—from machine learning and natural language processing to finance and even non-technical topics like gut health.”

This unyielding commitment to education is emblematic of Chris’s approach to life. He is an avid reader, setting himself the ambitious target of reading between forty to sixty books annually.

“The technology landscape is constantly evolving,” he said, “and you need to evolve with it as a leader. Whether through formal education, reading, or learning from others, make it a priority to keep your knowledge and skills current.”

Shayan’s journey from a self-taught coder to the Head of AI at a major tech firm is a testament to the power of relentless learning and intellectual curiosity. His early projects were a natural extension of the work he had begun as a child.

One of his first substantial endeavours was the development of a primary data visualisation platform for his father’s business. “It was rudimentary compared to today’s standards,” he acknowledged, “but it was akin to what we now know as Power BI. This project taught me the importance of creating solutions that are not just functional but also user-friendly and impactful.”

As Shayan’s career progressed, so did the complexity and scope of his projects. His work on search engine technology, where he contributed to open-source communities and developed code for Apache Lucene, was pivotal in shaping his understanding of how technology could have a global impact.

His later work in retail banking, particularly in developing comprehensive solutions for Techcombank in Vietnam, further reinforced his belief in understanding customer needs.

Today, as Head of AI, Shayan is at the forefront of a field that is misunderstood. While many fear AI as a force that could displace jobs and erode human skills, Chris sees it as a powerful tool for good. “AI is not just a tool; it’s an enabler,” he explained.  

“It’s about using AI to solve real-world problems, to address customer needs, and to enhance human experiences. My job is to ensure that AI is used strategically, not just as a fancy new tool, but as a means to solve meaningful problems and add value to the business and its customers.”

Shayan’s approach to AI is deeply pragmatic. He understands that technology must always be grounded in real-world applications, no matter how advanced. This focus on practical solutions sets him apart from many of his peers in the industry, and it has shaped his leadership style over the years.

One of Shayan’s critical lessons is the importance of fairness—not in treating everyone exactly the same, but in providing equitable opportunities for growth and success. “Fairness means recognising that different people have different needs and challenges,” he explains, “and as a leader, it’s my responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to the resources and support they need to succeed.”

This approach to leadership was reinforced during Chris’s time at Techcombank, where the leadership strongly emphasised upskilling employees. “They believed that if someone was struggling to meet expectations, it was their responsibility to provide the necessary training and support before making judgments about performance. This approach was quite different from what I had seen in other organisations, where the tendency might be to quickly replace someone who isn’t immediately able to meet new demands.”

Another significant lesson Chris learned was the value of communication. In one of his roles, he implemented a system of regular all-hands meetings where employees could submit questions anonymously. “This allowed people to voice concerns or seek clarification without fear of reprisal,” he says. “As a leader, I made it a point to address these questions openly, even when challenging. This practice built a strong trust within the team, as people knew that their voices were heard and that I was committed to addressing their concerns.”

Shayan believes mistakes are an inevitable part of any career and has made his share. However, he can learn from these mistakes, which have been crucial to his growth as a leader and a technologist.

One of the most valuable lessons Shayan has learned is the importance of balancing fairness with the needs of the business.

“Early in my career, I sometimes struggled with this balance, particularly in situations where there were conflicting interests between employees and shareholders. I realised that fairness doesn’t mean making everyone happy, but rather ensuring that decisions are made transparently and with the best interests of all stakeholders in mind.”

Shayan also learned the hard way that clear communication is crucial. “There have been times when I assumed that everyone was on the same page, only to find out later that there was confusion or misalignment. This taught me the value of over-communicating and regularly checking in with my team to ensure everyone is aligned and understands the broader goals.”

One precious practice Shayan has adopted is anonymous feedback. In his previous roles, he implemented systems for team members to provide anonymous feedback on his leadership.

“This was not only a humbling experience but also an incredibly valuable one. It allowed me to see areas where I needed to improve and gave me insights into how others perceived my leadership. Over time, this practice helped me build stronger, more trusting relationships with my teams.”

In addition to his work in established organisations, Shayan has been deeply involved in the startup world as an investor and a mentor.

His involvement in startups is driven by the same passion that has guided his entire career: the desire to elevate experiences. “My involvement in startups is deeply connected to my life purpose, centring around relentlessly elevating experiences,” he explained.

“I’m passionate about helping others—whether it’s customers, founders, or users—have better experiences through technology. This passion naturally led me to the startup world, where innovation and impact are often at the forefront.”

Shayan work with startups has allowed him to apply his skills and knowledge in new and innovative ways. He has mentored companies focused on ethical lending, inclusive growth, and other socially impactful missions.

“Mentoring startups is incredibly rewarding,” he said, “because it allows me to share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of innovators. I’ve always believed that knowledge should be shared, and mentoring allows me to help others avoid my mistakes and build on my successes.”

As someone who has navigated the complexities of the technology industry with skill and humility, Chris is well-placed to offer advice to the next generation of tech leaders. His message is clear: focus on understanding your customers. “In all my years of working in technology, the most successful projects have always been deeply rooted in customer needs,” he said. “It’s not enough to just build a product or solution—you need to build something that resonates with the people who will use it.”

For Shayan, developing empathy for customers is crucial. “This might mean going out of your way to experience their challenges firsthand, as I did when I spent time living with factory workers to understand how they used mobile technology. This eye-opening experience profoundly influenced how I approached product design and development.”

In addition to empathy, Shayan advised tech leaders to focus on the ‘why’ behind their actions. “It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new technology, but at the end, it’s all about creating value for your customers. Keep the customer as your true north, and let that guide your decisions.”

Finally, Shayan emphasises the importance of continuous learning. “The technology landscape is constantly evolving, and as a leader, you need to evolve with it. Whether it’s through formal education, reading, or learning from others, make it a priority to keep your knowledge and skills up to date. This will make you a more effective leader and ensure you can continue making a meaningful impact in your field.”

Shayan’s journey from a curious child coding on a home computer to the Head of AI at a leading tech firm is a testament to the power of relentless learning, empathy, and a deep commitment to elevating human experiences. In a world where technology is often seen as cold and impersonal, Shayan stands out as a leader who understands that the actual value of technology lies in its ability to solve real problems and make life better for those it touches.

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