Pala intrinsically believes that recent digital advances – principally those of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and sophisticated cross-platform applications – provide a once in a generation opportunity to change the world around us for the better. Everything we do is geared towards realising a vision of people harnessing new technology to maximise our human potential.
New technology is useless unless it is incorporated with the people using it from day-to-day in mind. Pala looks to build relevant, new technology into the core of its solutions, but gives equal importance to synthesising them into simple and memorable user experiences.
State-of-the-art AI and software technology need not be the preserve of large conglomerates and mathematical prodigies. Pala senses fertile ground to plant the seeds of this groundbreaking technology across the whole landscape of industry and society, not just the most lucrative domains.
Pala sees beautifully composed binary as something as natural as the northern lights, a fleeting stare, or a dreamlike melody. We reject traditionally sterile notions of the digital, and instead embrace it as a natural extension of human potential.
Pala started its life as a pro bono project at University College London, aiming to spread new technological advances to charities and social enterprises across London.
We take our title from the namesake of Aldous Huxley’s 1962 novel Island. Pala is a described as a utopian island nation where science and technology are used progressively to create a more fulfilling world for each of its inhabitants.
James founded Pala at UCL in 2016 while studying experimental physics, and across its lifespan has overseen the creation of applications, intelligent use of data, and rejuvenation of IT systems, all to bring about vital change across a range of industries. He previously worked on the analysis of the Large Hadron Collider experiment at CERN, implementing novel machine learning models into its analysis to detect the Higgs Boson particle.
Ben is a former physicist with previous experience working in software engineering at a London tech unicorn, where he wrote and tested business-critical code to be used by multinational corporations. His further interests include algorithmic applications of quantum computing, wherein he has exclusive hands-on experience in testing code on IBM’s state-of-the-art Q quantum computer.
After completing an art degree at the University Of Edinburgh, Molly taught herself to code and has looked to apply her creative skills into the craft of user experience in the tech sphere. A keen creator of jewellery, clothing and fine art in her free time, Molly brings the same vital attention to detail and creativity to create beautiful solutions for Pala.