Dr Maheen Hasib, Global Programme Director for BSc Data Sciences, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Dubai

Artificial intelligence (AI) and data science are no longer distant or experimental ideas. They quietly sit behind many of the decisions that shape our everyday lives: how patients are diagnosed, how job applications are filtered, how loans are approved etc. These systems increasingly influence who gets opportunities and who does not. That reality makes one question impossible to ignore: who is building the algorithms that shape our future?

As a Programme Director for the Data Sciences programme at Heriot-Watt University, this question is not just academic for me, it is deeply personal. Every year, I meet capable, curious, and motivated young women who are genuinely interested in data science. Yet many hesitate. Not because they lack ability, but because they are unsure whether they truly belong in the field. Too often, they do not see people (like themselves) reflected in AI research, technical teams, or leadership roles. And that absence matters.

When bias in AI feels uncomfortably familiar

AI systems are often described as objective or neutral, yet they are trained in data shaped by human history, something that is far from neutral. When training data reflects existing gender imbalances, AI systems can replicate and even magnify those patterns. This has led to technologies that perform less accurately for women, fail to capture women’s health needs, or disadvantage women in recruitment and evaluation processes.

For many women, these outcomes feel uncomfortably familiar. They echo everyday experiences of being overlooked, misunderstood, or underrepresented. In most cases, this is not the result of deliberate exclusion. It is the consequence of design choices made without diverse perspectives at the table.

Why representation goes beyond numbers

Representation in AI and data science is often discussed in terms of statistics or diversity targets. But at its core, representation is about perspective. When women are involved in developing AI systems, they help shape how problems are defined, what data are considered relevant, and which risks are taken seriously.

From an academic perspective, diverse teams produce more robust research and better-tested models. From a human perspective, they help ensure that AI systems work for the full range of people they are meant to serve. Inclusion improves both technical quality and social impact, it strengthens the science and the society it serves.

Women and the future of ethical AI

Many women working in AI are already at the forefront of discussions around fairness, transparency, explainability, and responsible data use. These are not peripheral concerns; they are central to building trustworthy AI. Ethical AI requires asking difficult questions: Who might be harmed when a system fails? Whose data is missing? Who is affected by design decisions that seem minor on the surface?

By advocating for human-centered approaches, women in AI are helping shift the field beyond purely performance-driven metrics toward systems that balance innovation with responsibility.

Education, encouragement, and visibility matter

At Heriot-Watt University Dubai, we make a deliberate effort to encourage women to pursue data science, not just as a degree, but as a long-term career. This means creating supportive learning environments, highlighting female role models, and openly discussing the wide range of paths that data science can lead to. Students need to see that success in AI does not follow a single template.

Equally important are spaces where women can connect, share experiences, and feel supported. As an ambassador for Women in Data Science, I have seen how such events play a vital role. They create visibility, build confidence, and remind women that they are not alone. We need more of these initiatives, not as one-off celebrations, but as sustained platforms for mentorship, networking, and growth.

Encouraging women in AI is not about lowering standards or meeting quotas. It is about recognizing that inclusive participation leads to better research, more ethical technologies, and systems that genuinely reflect the societies they shape.

Conclusion

As AI and data science continue to influence our world, we must ask not only what these systems do, but who designs them. Supporting women to study data science, pursue AI careers, and step into leadership roles is essential to building technologies that are fair, responsible, and trustworthy. Through education, visibility, and initiatives, we can help ensure that the future of AI is shaped by many voices.

The future of AI should be one where women do not simply use technology but actively shape it.

By Ahmad Hamad Bin Fahad, CEO of DUBAL Holding

The UAE’s growth journey is led by an unwavering focus on driving digital transformation, enhancing renewable energy capacity and promoting regulatory excellence. This is best reflected in the ‘Net Zero 2050’ strategy, which aims to create 200,000 jobs across the solar, battery and hydrogen sub-sectors, combining economic and sustainability goals. Digitalisation of the industrial sector will play an important role in realising this vision by paving the way for long-term industrial competitiveness and resilience.

Smart manufacturing, AI adoption and Industry 4.0

Across the UAE, factories are being installed with smart manufacturing systems that integrate IoT sensors, predictive analytics and real-time data environments. These optimise energy usage, reduce downtime and minimise material waste, turning sustainability into a measurable, operational outcome rather than an abstract concept.

Furthermore, digitally connected factories can track emissions at every stage of production, benchmark efficiency and automate corrective actions. This is crucial to achieving the goals of ‘Operation 300bn’ and positioning the UAE as a global hub for future industries.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), Industry 4.0 tools can increase the nation’s industrial productivity by up to 30 per cent while reducing operational costs by nearly 20 per cent through wider structural transformations. Moreover, AI adoption is set to contribute AED 335 billion to the UAE economy by 2031, as reported by the UAE Council for AI and Blockchain.

Artificial Intelligence is also redefining how industrial assets function, from power plants and smelters to logistics centres and material processing facilities. AI-enabled algorithms can even forecast equipment failures, balance energy loads and simulate entire production cycles to identify carbon-saving interventions. AI also helps enhance transparency and enforce operational discipline, promoting both sustainability and profitability.

Role of advanced automation in redefining industrial operations

Advanced automation, from robotics to autonomous transport systems, is driving sustainability by eliminating key bottlenecks that cause higher emissions. Furthermore, automated systems ensure enhanced precision, enabling industries to streamline energy usage, optimise supply chains and accelerate circular-economy practices such as recycling, material recovery and waste-to-value processes.

However, automation does not replace human capability; it merely enhances it, enabling operators to move on to high-value digital roles. It efficiently tackles repetitive, energy-intensive tasks, creating a more resilient, low-carbon industrial ecosystem. A key enabler of this transition is the rise of strategic, government-aligned investments in digital-first industrial ventures. These investments are the backbone of the nation’s industrial future as they help build advanced manufacturing platforms, AI-driven optimisation technologies, smart mobility solutions and digital energy-management systems.

By investing in companies that integrate digital tools into core industrial operations, the UAE is accelerating technology adoption at scale. These investments further position digital transformation as a strategic imperative for fulfilling the UAE’s sustainability goals while boosting economic competitiveness.

Way Forward: Shaping a resilient industrial economy

The UAE’s wise leadership remains committed to fostering an ecosystem that rewards digital innovation and AI adoption. Moreover, by directing long-term strategic capital towards transformative technologies, the nation is building an industrial sector that is both future-ready and climate-aligned.
Amid this shift, digitalisation stands out as the most critical tool for building a sustainable, net-zero industrial economy. Aligning with this, companies must embrace forward-looking strategies that can positively shape the future of the industry.

Across the technology landscape, women continue to shape innovation with resilience, curiosity, and vision. Their diverse perspectives—shaped by unique journeys, challenges, and triumphs, remind us that progress in tech is driven not only by expertise, but by the voices that dare to redefine what’s possible. This collection of insights amplifies those voices, celebrating the power of women who lead, inspire, and transform the future of technology.

International Women’s Day Comments

Sumaiya Muhammad, Sr. Marketing Specialist at Alteryx –

“My professional journey has evolved across hardware, software, telecom, and now data automation at Alteryx. Working across these domains has strengthened my adaptability and deepened my understanding of how data drives real business value. According to Alteryx research, 48% of leaders plan to increase spending on AI infrastructure and tools, signalling how rapidly enterprise priorities are shifting and how significant it is for women to build confidence in data and AI. A challenge I have consistently faced is navigating constant change in an industry where innovation cycles move quickly. I have realised that continuous learning and investing in upskilling is crucial in this industry.

This International Women’s Day, I encourage aspiring women professionals to step forward boldly and actively shape the future of technology.”

Merhan Gaballah, Construction Technology & PropTech Consultant at PlanRadar –

Throughout my career in construction technology and PropTech, my journey has evolved from commercial roles into strategic advisory positions supporting digital transformation across the GCC.

One of the key challenges has been building credibility in traditionally male-dominated environments, where technical leadership is often predefined. Overcoming this required resilience, preparation, and consistently delivering measurable impact.

Today, I see strong momentum for women in tech. Digital transformation is redefining leadership, placing greater value on collaboration, adaptability, and data-driven thinking—areas where diverse perspectives are essential.

On International Women’s Day, I hope we move beyond recognition toward sustained inclusion, where women are not highlighted as exceptions, but empowered as equal contributors shaping the future of technology.

Alexandra Gartrell, VP and EMEA Legal Lead at Cloudera –

“This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, is a reminder that investing in women’s advancement at work delivers returns for everyone. Diverse teams broaden talent pipelines, improve decision-making, and build workplaces where people are more engaged and more likely to stay.

AI systems inherit the assumptions of the environments that build them. When development teams skew toward a single demographic, bias doesn’t only show up in datasets. It can also appear in which problems are prioritised, how success is defined, which edge cases are tested, and what risks are accepted. In the agentic era, autonomy raises the stakes: small weaknesses in data, design, or oversight can be amplified once decisions are made at scale.

As AI becomes embedded across core business functions, coding ability is no longer the sole marker of technical contribution. Engineers need business acumen, communication skills, and the ability to collaborate across functions because responsible AI depends on context and judgment, not just models.

True inclusion means having diverse voices shape product direction and decision rights and not just representation in organisational charts. Practically, this means auditing datasets for representation gaps, testing models for unequal outcomes, stress-testing edge cases, and involving a diverse panel of human reviewers throughout the AI lifecycle.

According to Cloudera’s WLIT 2025 report, 91% of women leaders in the Middle East remain optimistic that gender equality in AI leadership will improve within five years. When women are given resources, opportunities, and authority in AI development, organisations gain better AI systems that work for everyone. In the agentic era, diversity in leadership and oversight should be treated as part of AI risk management.

Organizations that formalize cross-functional approaches, create transition pathways, and recognize emotional intelligence as a technical capability will build better AI and advance gender equity.”

Fatma Al Naggar, Senior Relationship Manager, Saxo Bank MENA –

“In times of uncertainty, women have consistently proven to be natural problem-solvers and stabilisers, leading their homes, workplaces, and communities with empathy, adaptability, and a profound sense of responsibility.
While women naturally take on the role of emotional anchors due to their deep attunement to the needs of others, it is crucial that providing this support never comes at the expense of their own well-being. Sustainable resilience requires setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and establishing personal rituals that help maintain a positive mindset and focus on what can be controlled amidst the external noise of today’s fast-paced digital world.

As women progress in their careers and redefine leadership across industries, they are bringing a more collaborative, empathetic, and purpose-driven approach that prioritizes transparency and inclusivity over traditional authority. In highly competitive fields, particularly male-dominated sectors like finance and technology, technical expertise may open doors, but it is the mastery of soft skills such as emotional intelligence, relationship building, and strategic thinking that sustains advancement and leadership credibility.

Furthermore, living and working in a multicultural environment like the UAE significantly amplifies this professional growth. The country’s strong emphasis on safety, opportunity, and diversity provides an unparalleled space where women from all backgrounds can pursue their ambitions with confidence, learn from diverse perspectives, and foster inclusive, globally minded innovation.

Yet, achieving true gender equity demands ongoing progress to ensure equal access to leadership roles, mentorship, and career development, while continually challenging outdated perceptions about women’s roles. An ideal workplace must actively promote equality, respect, equal pay, and flexible work options, empowering every woman to reach her full potential.

On this International Women’s Day, my message to all women, especially young girls carving their own paths, is to believe in your abilities, embrace curiosity, and never hesitate to pursue challenging opportunities. By recognizing our inherent strength, owning our expertise with authenticity, and leading with resilience, we can collectively shape a more inclusive and high-performing future for our communities and industries.”

Laura Heisman, CMO, Dynatrace –

The rise of AI isn’t just a call for women to adapt, it’s an opportunity for women to lead. With an estimated 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 yet to be created, AI is not only reshaping roles, but entire career journeys. Traditional paths are breaking down, opening doors for women to step into emerging opportunities – and redefining what’s possible for soon-to-be graduates and school-aged girls alike.

This is our moment to help define the future of work and pave the way for generations to come. But progress isn’t automatic. Without intentional action and human connection, women risk being sidelined in this transformation. Learning, experimenting, and getting comfortable with AI isn’t optional. It’s how we remain active participants in shaping what comes next.

The future will be shaped by what and who we invest in today. When we support women and future generations through mentorship, intentional recruiting, training, and shared learning, we don’t just advance opportunity – we build better technology, stronger businesses, and a more inclusive future. It starts with choosing to learn, experiment, and grow with AI. That is the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day focus, where we “give to gain.”