Engineering with Empathy and Impact: Tunmise Oyekola on Why the Next Generation of Software Must Be Human Centered

In today’s increasingly digitized world, where machine learning, automation, and artificial intelligence shape how we work, learn, and live, the question is no longer what we can build with software, but why we are building it. According to Tunmise Oyekola, a seasoned front-end heavy full stack developer with over seven years of experience in software engineering and IT, the next generation of software must prioritize empathy and human impact as much as technical excellence. For Tunmise, the concept of human centered engineering is not a passing trend. It is a core philosophy forged through experience. Her journey into technology began with a deep sense of curiosity, drawn to the power of code to transform abstract ideas into tangible tools, and tools into systems that profoundly affect people’s lives. That early fascination evolved into a mission: to create software that does more than function—it uplifts.

“I came to understand that the most powerful software isn’t just the smartest or fastest,” she reflects. “It’s the kind that meets people where they are and helps them go further.” This belief shaped one of the most defining milestones of her career: leading the development of an AI powered underwriting system for Kafene while at Enyata. The project was not merely an exercise in technical optimization.

Tunmise’s innovative solution replaced an inflexible third party tool with a dynamic, proprietary system that improved credit decision accuracy by 60 percent. The impact extended far beyond metrics, enhancing financial inclusion for underbanked individuals across the United States. For her, the value lay not just in what was built, but in who it was built for. Tunmise believes that such questions should be central to the engineering process. In an industry often driven by performance benchmarks, feature rollouts, and scalability concerns, she argues that these goals must be grounded in a deeper understanding of the human stories behind the screens. Who are we designing for? What barriers can we dismantle? What potential can we help unlock?

This is why systems thinking is foundational to her approach. She views every product as a complex ecosystem, composed not only of business logic and infrastructure, but also of emotional and experiential dimensions. Whether refining a frontend interface or architecting cloud based platforms, Tunmise is committed to embedding empathy and intentionality into every layer. Accessibility, inclusivity, and long term relevance are never afterthoughts—they are design principles from the outset.

She maintains that this human centric mindset is more vital than ever. The rapid evolution of the tech landscape, from the surge of generative AI to the rise of low code/no code platforms, presents vast opportunities and real risks. The pace of innovation can sometimes overshadow the very people it aims to serve. As Tunmise notes, “The temptation is to build fast and iterate later, but speed without empathy often leads to exclusion. We end up with products that work in theory but fail in practice.”

Currently, she is bringing these values to life through an ambitious new initiative: an AI powered personalized learning platform designed to transform how teenagers engage with education. The system leverages generative AI and agentic models to deliver tailored content, adaptive feedback, and contextual learning paths. But for Tunmise, the goal transcends academic performance. Her mission is to cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and confidence—skills essential not only for school, but for life.

She is particularly passionate about the platform’s role in bridging educational gaps in underserved communities. Built on scalable cloud infrastructure and guided by ethical AI principles, the solution is designed for accessibility across socioeconomic and geographic boundaries. Features such as gamification and reinforcement learning are not superficial enhancements but are thoughtfully integrated to encourage sustained curiosity and active engagement. Tunmise envisions a future where learning is not only personalized but profoundly humanized.

Her work is distinguished by an unshakable belief that empathy is not a soft skill in engineering—it is a form of intelligence, a methodology, and a responsibility. Every interface, feature, and system she touches is shaped by this perspective. She applies the same ethos in her leadership and mentorship, where she fosters clarity, growth, and collaboration. Through volunteer teaching and coding programs in under-resourced communities, Tunmise champions technology as a catalyst for equity and empowerment.

Her commitment to excellence and social impact has earned her widespread recognition. She graduated with First Class honors in Computer Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, achieving a CGPA of 4.71 out of 5.0. Her accolades include being named the Artificial Intelligence Leader Disruptor at the 2025 GLOBEE® Awards, Technical Team Leader of the Year for Africa at the International Prime Awards Asia Africa 2025, and First Runner Up at Facebook and UNODC’s Hackathon 4 Justice in 2019.

Yet for Tunmise, accolades are not the destination. They serve as milestones in a lifelong pursuit to harness the transformative power of software for the greater good. She believes that in an era of accelerating technological change, the most meaningful innovation is grounded in purpose. Engineers, designers, and technologists must move beyond simply solving problems to deeply understanding the lives their solutions will touch.

Looking forward, Tunmise is energized by the convergence of artificial intelligence, personalization, and accessibility. She envisions intelligent systems that not only respond to user behavior but intuitively grasp user intent, emotion, and potential. These tools, she believes, should not just meet immediate needs but foster growth, creativity, and opportunity—especially in areas like education, healthcare, and financial services where equity is still elusive.

In a world where the boundary between human and machine continues to dissolve, Tunmise Oyekola offers a powerful and necessary reminder: technology should be a bridge, not a barrier. Her work embodies a vision of engineering rooted not only in innovation but in compassion. It is a call to builders everywhere to design with foresight, lead with humility, and always build with empathy and impact in mind.