Posted:
by QW+ staff writer
The Company we Keep: Nerushka Bowan
Nerushka Bowan is an accomplished technology and privacy lawyer and a leading authority in generative AI law. She is the founder of the LITT Institute, hosts the Brains, Bubbly & Beyond podcast, and is an author with Juta, where she has developed a handbook to guide lawyers in the generative AI space. Previously, she led technology and innovation at Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa. Bowan holds an LLB from the University of Pretoria, is a forum member of the South African National Blockchain Alliance, and served as a global judge for the International Association of Privacy Professionals’ Annual Innovation Awards. She was recognised among the 2020 Inspiring Fifty for successful women in STEM.
Pronouns: She/Her
Born: Durban, KZN, South Africa
Status: Married for 8 years with a beautiful little 4 year old girl.
School: Matriculated from Durban Girls High School
University: University of Pretoria
First Job: Candidate Attorney at Deneys Reitz (later Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa)
Home: Morningside, Sandton, Gauteng
Transport: Toyota RAV4. Would love to be able to walk more.
Book on your bedside table: Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle & flow – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Music in your playlist: Focus playlists for deep work & P!nk
Describe your job in no more than 7 words: Bridging the gap between tech and law
What keeps you awake at night?: Doomscrolling
Who is your biggest Hero?: Myself
Remote or Office?: Remote
What’s the most exciting part of your job?: Having fun every day and being curious and following my intuition and interests. There is always so much to explore and learn. Especially in the fascinating world of AI.
Career highlight?: Crafting a business that suits the life I want to live
What is your Superpower? Believing I can do it
What is the least known factor about you? I am a qualified pole fitness instructor (not currently teaching, but attending pole fitness classes)
If you could get the ear of one person, to convince them your work is important, who would it be? I know my work is important. I don’t need to convince anyone.
If you had the power to pass a presidential decree, what would it be? Relaxation of South African exchange control rules that are preventing innovation and economic growth in the country. Many homegrown startups are forced to incorporate off-shore in order to receive funding from international funders. If we had an inclusive regulatory regime, we would be able to build local, successful businesses and support our entrepreneurs, instead of losing that growth to places like Mauritius and Delaware.
Your best piece of advice? You are your most important project. Work on yourself. Prioritise yourself. Everything else will sort itself out.
What’s your next big thing? Living a good day every day. Being at peace every day. Surrounding myself with good energy every day.
What do you do to relax? Fitness (pole and swimming), walks, yoga, meditation, breath work, taking baths, reading, and watching series.