Progress isn’t solely defined by ambition; it’s also about who has the power to influence it. On Emirati Women’s Day, it’s essential to reflect on what genuine leadership in science and technology entails.
It’s not merely symbolic; it requires structural change. Who participates in decision-making? Who is responsible for designing the frameworks that will shape our future?
The UAE has never viewed women’s roles in technology as an anomaly. For years, our leaders have prioritized women in national advancements, whether in space research, renewable energy, or cutting-edge sciences.
This commitment is evident within the UAE’s knowledge-oriented economy, where women are expected to play vital roles as innovators, scientists, and leaders.
Personally, this is significant to me. I grew up among women who flourished in fields like medicine and finance, areas historically seen as demanding yet socially acceptable for women.
However, my interests took a different direction. I became fascinated with mathematics and the logical frameworks of systems. This led me into cryptography, then artificial intelligence, and ultimately cybersecurity. My pursuit of technology was not to prove a point but to find solutions to complex, real-world challenges.
Throughout my journey, I, like many women in technological domains, faced skepticism. This skepticism was not about my capabilities but rather my place in the industry. Instead of deterring me, those experiences reinforced my drive to lead.
At the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), this vision is realized daily. We proudly have over 355 women scientists and engineers, including 157 Emirati women, engaged in fields such as AI, robotics, quantum technologies, cryptography, and space science. Many spearhead AI research initiatives, enhancing our Falcon language models and crafting ethical AI frameworks, demonstrating that women are pivotal in shaping the UAE’s AI sector. They are developing infrastructures, establishing standards, and setting the pace for a new era of innovation led by Emiratis.
Their contributions highlight the strategic capabilities of the UAE.
In contrast, the global landscape tells a different story. Research from Randstad shows that women make up less than a third of professionals in the AI sector and only 18 percent of AI researchers. This disparity isn’t due to a lack of interest or ability; it stems from issues of access, representation, and the systems that determine leadership. In a critical area like AI that is rapidly influencing industries and governance, this imbalance is not only unjust but also a liability.
The UAE: A Model for Inclusion as a National Advantage
In the UAE, our approach differs; we view inclusion not just as a moral obligation but as a national benefit.
One significant initiative is the NexTech Program, the flagship talent development project by the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). Exclusively for Emirati nationals, this program has already placed 100 students, many of whom are women, in top universities such as Cambridge, Yale, and CalTech.
By engaging in advanced projects internationally and subsequently bringing their insights back, these women are emerging as future trailblazers in transformative technologies, including AI. Their success stories illustrate the UAE’s commitment to positioning women at the forefront of its scientific future.
Emirati Women Leading in AI
The implications of this progress are substantial. The next generation of Emirati women involved in AI will play a crucial role in ensuring that the UAE’s technological advancements are inclusive, ethical, and competitively positioned on a global scale. They will develop algorithms that enhance our industries, design smart systems that benefit society, and devise solutions that remain beyond our current imagination.
As one of the few women globally overseeing a deep tech research institute, I feel a profound responsibility to promote science, lead effectively, and mentor others. I frequently encounter young Emirati women who inquire about how I established my role in this sector. My constant advice? Don’t wait for permission. Women have a place here.
Every young woman contemplating a career in science and technology should embrace courage. Your intelligence, creativity, and resilience are invaluable. They are essential to the future of this field.
But achieving this vision requires that inclusion goes beyond aspiration; it must become actionable. We need to keep investing in mentorship, education, and opportunities.
Empowering women in AI is crucial to unlocking innovation, enhancing national competitiveness, and securing the UAE’s position at the forefront of future technologies. For innovation to serve society effectively, it is imperative that everyone participates in crafting it.
This Emirati Women’s Day serves not only as a celebration of past achievements but also as a reminder of the ongoing challenges. AI is already integrated into our economies, public services, and security systems. To create systems that are effective, ethical, and resilient, they must reflect the complete spectrum of human intelligence, including women’s perspectives.
As women ascend in AI, they elevate not just themselves but also the standards and systems around them, lifting the entire nation in the process.