Challenges and Departure
Despite Imagination’s technological success, the mid-2010s brought new challenges. The global smartphone market began to slow, creating short-term revenue pressures. At the same time, Yassaie was advocating for long-term investment in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and ray-tracing. These were ambitious but risky bets.
By early 2016, disagreements within Imagination’s board regarding strategy became irreconcilable. Pressured by shareholders who prioritised short-term financial performance, Yassaie resigned as CEO in February 2016. His departure was followed by a wave of resignations from other senior leaders, underscoring the depth of the strategic rift.
Post-Imagination: Entrepreneur, Investor, and Mentor
Following his departure from Imagination, Yassaie did not retreat from the technology world. Instead, he broadened his involvement across multiple fronts, becoming a chair, director, and investor in several innovative companies. Among these is articulate.xyz, which reflects his continued focus on transformational digital solutions.
His areas of interest span a wide spectrum:
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Next-generation user interfaces and experiences
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Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
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Advanced computing architectures
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Smart systems for health and education
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Combating misinformation and disinformation on the internet
By supporting ventures in these fields, Yassaie has positioned himself at the cutting edge of today’s most pressing technological and societal challenges.
