Announcing New Leadership for Women in AI in the UAE and MENA

As Women in AI continues to grow across the Middle East, we are pleased to introduce two new leadership appointments that will strengthen our presence in the region.

Yasmin Al Enazi – Head of MENA

We are excited to announce that Eng. Yasmin Al Enazi has been appointed as Head of the MENA region for Women in AI. Yasmin is a recognised Robotics Global Thought Leader, recently named one of the top 10 women shaping the future of robotics in 2024 by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). She brings over 13 years of experience in robotics, automation, and Embodied AI across the GCC region.

Currently Program Director for the Innovation Hub Industry X at Maxbyte Technologies, Yasmin leads initiatives in robotics deployment, AI integration, and automation strategy. She is also a co-founder of two companies, including a social impact startup leveraging Embodied AI to support people of determination (POD).

Beyond her technical leadership, Yasmin is deeply committed to diversity in tech and actively mentors aspiring professionals. As the founding Ambassador of Women in AI UAE and a former Global Ambassador, she has played a key role in growing the Women in AI community in the region. We’re thrilled to see her continue shaping the MENA chapter in her new role.

Latifa Alshehhi – Ambassador for UAE

Stepping into the role of Women in AI UAE Ambassador is Latifa Alshehhi, a data-tech leader and AI strategist whose work has shaped national AI and data ecosystems in the United Arab Emirates. Latifa currently serves as Chief AI Officer & Director of the Investment Data Department at the Ministry of Investment, where she leads the development of AI strategies supporting the UAE’s investment priorities.

Her decade-long career across government entities includes advancing data governance and analytics at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center (FCSC) and Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), where she championed smart city initiatives. Latifa’s leadership has been instrumental in developing the UAE Open Data Portal and establishing the UN Global Platform for Big Data and Data Science in the MENA region.

She is also an active voice on the international stage, including as a member of the United Nations Committee of Experts in Big Data and Data Science. A long-time advocate for ethical AI and data-driven policymaking, Latifa previously served as Head of Analytics and AI for Women in AI UAE, and now returns to lead the chapter into its next phase.

Together, Yasmin and Latifa will guide the growth of Women in AI across the UAE and the wider MENA region. We look forward to the initiatives they will bring to life as they continue building an inclusive and ethical AI ecosystem.

Stay connected for updates on local events, opportunities, and collaborations via our Women in AI UAE LinkedIn page.