AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI and SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the UAE’s economic and social landscape, supporting national ambitions and creating new opportunities for innovation.

For entrepreneurs and young professionals, the technology is an essential tool for improving productivity, developing solutions, and preparing workplaces and projects for the future.

It has enabled them to transform career pathways, and opened up viable avenues for entrepreneurship.

Amna Al Hammadi, who recently graduated with a Master of Science in Machine Learning from the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), told Aletihad that she views herself as a product of the UAE’s investment in AI, and a willing “contributor to its next phase”.

“My journey in AI transformed me from a computer engineer focused on systems and problem-solving into someone who understands technology as a force that can shape institutions, economies, policy, diplomacy, sustainability, and national development,” she said.

Al Hammadi is also delighted to be in the UAE at a time when it is driving the evolution of modern economies. “I once thought I would need to leave home to be close to the future, but today the future is gathering here. In the UAE, I can meet researchers, engineers, diplomats, investors, founders, and policymakers from around the world who are coming to understand where AI is heading,” she said.

“This has also changed how I prepare myself. I started learning Mandarin and Russian because I realised AI is not only a technical field; it is a global language shaped by cultures, economies and strategic priorities.”

The MBZUAI graduate hopes to use her learnings to translate AI from research and pilots into responsible implementation and national impact.

“What most excites me about the UAE’s AI trajectory is that the country is no longer just participating in the global AI conversation; it is becoming one of the places where that conversation is happening,” she said.

Competitive Advantage for Small Businesses
By enhancing day-to-day operations and enabling entrepreneurs to compete more successfully, AI adoption is also opening doors for small firms.

The 45-year-old proprietor of the Dr Kanafa store in Bani Yas, Rami Almsaudi, claimed that AI has altered how he runs his company by cutting down on the amount of time needed for marketing and administrative duties.

“AI has fundamentally altered the way I handle subscribers. I’ve been able to spend less time on things that used to take a lot of time,” he told Aletihad.

Almsaudi said he uses AI tools for content creation, process organisation, client enquiry management, and service improvement. “AI platforms enable me to produce marketing content quicker, expedite customer inquiry responses, and analyse relevant data to drive sales. In my opinion, AI generates advantages for small enterprises, enabling them to compete with larger firms and increase productivity.”

Entrepreneurs in the UAE also leverage AI to power innovation and new ideas. The 24-year-old founder of creative design agency Mood and Line, Aysha Aljanabi, said she uses AI tools to support her creative process by accelerating the development of concepts, mood boards, and branding ideas.

“AI helps me create ideas, mood boards, and brand concepts much faster as a graphic designer,” she said.

This has strengthened Aljanaibi’s marketing and communications efforts, allowing her to reach more customers and transform ideas into more refined designs.