Key Takeaways
- Emirati women are increasingly driving research and innovation in artificial intelligence, supported by national policies that prioritize education and technology.
- Dr Hanan Aldarmaki, Director of the Center of Teaching and Learning and Assistant Professor of Natural Language Processing at MBZUAI, is the first Emirati woman to join the university’s faculty.
- Her work focuses on Arabic natural‑language and speech processing, especially documenting spoken Emirati dialects to preserve cultural heritage and improve AI language models.
- MBZUAI’s 2026‑2027 cohort shows that 54 % of Emirati students are female, reflecting growing interest and access to advanced AI education.
- Initiatives such as the Ruwwad AI Scholars (RAIS) Postdoctoral Fellowship provide fully funded international research opportunities for Emirati PhD graduates, aiming to develop the next generation of local AI leaders.
- Aldarmaki emphasizes that mastering technical language empowers women not only to participate in AI but also to shape its direction and ensure it serves societal prosperity.
Dr Hanan Aldarmaki’s Academic Path and Return to the UAE
Dr Hanan Aldarmaki completed postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom and the United States before deciding to bring her expertise back to the United Arab Emirates. “I completed my PhD in Computer Science from George Washington University and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge,” she told the Emirates News Agency (WAM). Her return was motivated by the UAE’s leadership vision to make education, scientific research and innovation central pillars of national development. By joining Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in 2022, Aldarmaki became the first woman and the first Emirati faculty member at the institution, a milestone she describes as both a personal achievement and a symbolic step for other aspiring women scientists.
Leadership Role at MBZUAI and the Center of Teaching and Learning
Since her appointment, Aldarmaki has balanced research, teaching, and administrative duties as Director of the Center of Teaching and Learning. In this capacity she oversees curriculum design, faculty development, and student support services, ensuring that the university’s educational offerings remain aligned with cutting‑edge AI advancements. She also supervises graduate students, guiding them through thesis projects that explore natural‑language processing, machine learning, and AI ethics. Her dual focus on pedagogy and research exemplifies the integrated approach MBZUAI takes to nurture talent capable of contributing to both academia and industry.
Research Focus: Arabic Natural‑Language and Speech Processing
A significant portion of Aldarmaki’s research agenda centers on natural‑language and speech processing for Arabic and low‑resource languages. She explains that “the wide diversity of Arabic dialects… makes the identification of these nuances a central part of her work.” To address this challenge, she leads Ramsa Lab, a national initiative dedicated to documenting spoken Emirati dialects across the country. The lab collects audio recordings, transcriptions, and linguistic annotations that capture the phonetic, lexical, and syntactic variations present in everyday Emirati speech. This corpus serves as a foundational resource for building AI models that understand and generate language in a culturally authentic manner.
Preserving Intangible Heritage Through Language Documentation
Beyond technical objectives, Aldarmaki stresses that documenting spoken language is an act of cultural preservation. “Much of the UAE’s intangible heritage is transmitted orally,” she notes, meaning that safeguarding dialectal speech also protects traditional stories, proverbs, songs, and social practices. By creating a rich, accessible archive, Ramsa Lab enables linguists, educators, and technologists to study and revive aspects of Emirati heritage that might otherwise fade. Moreover, the annotated data supports the development of speech‑recognition and synthesis tools that reflect genuine Emirati communication styles, improving user experience for local AI applications.
Educational Opportunities for Emiratis at MBZUAI
Aldarmaki highlights that MBZUAI offers a spectrum of programs designed to nurture Emirati talent at various stages. Undergraduate AI degrees introduce students to core concepts, while master’s and doctoral pathways allow for deep specialization and original research. Students can collaborate with government agencies, private‑sector partners, and international research groups, gaining practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge. She points out that the university’s commitment to accessibility is evident in the rising enrollment of Emirati women: “female students account for 54 percent of Emirati students” in the 2026‑2027 academic cohort, a testament to the effectiveness of national encouragement and institutional support.
The Ruwwad AI Scholars (RAIS) Postdoctoral Fellowship
To further strengthen the pipeline of Emirati researchers, MBZUAI recently launched the Ruwwad AI Scholars (RAIS) Postdoctoral Fellowship. The program provides Emirati PhD holders with a fully funded two‑year placement at leading research institutions worldwide. Aldarmaki describes it as “helping prepare a new generation of Emirati faculty members and research leaders.” By exposing fellows to global best practices and cutting‑edge projects, the fellowship aims to bring back expertise that can enrich local research ecosystems and elevate the UAE’s standing in the international AI community.
Message to Aspiring Emirati Women in AI
On Emirati Women’s Day, Aldarmaki addressed young girls who dream of careers in science and technology. She urged them to view their knowledge and intellectual capabilities as “among their most valuable assets.” She encouraged continuous learning, mastery of technical language, and active participation in shaping the direction of AI development. “Mastering the language and concepts of a technical field not only enables women to participate in it, but also gives them the ability to help shape its direction and influence its development,” she asserted. Her advice underscores the belief that technical proficiency translates into agency, allowing women to contribute not just as users of technology but as its architects.
Technology as a Tool for Human Prosperity
Aldarmaki concludes with a broader philosophical stance: technology, including artificial intelligence, should be regarded as a means to serve people and enhance societal well‑being. “Technology… is not an end in itself, but a tool to serve people and enhance human prosperity,” she told WAM. She calls on researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to harness AI responsibly, directing its power toward sustainable development, inclusive growth, and the preservation of cultural identity. In her view, the ultimate success of AI will be measured by its capacity to uplift communities, protect heritage, and create a prosperous future for all Emirati citizens.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2026/09/06/emirati-women-advance-future-vision-through-artificial-intelligence