Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
At 12, Emirati innovator AlDhabi AlMheiri wears many hats. She is a writer, an entrepreneur, an environmental advocate, an innovator. In this era of new-age tech, however, she has taken on another role as a young expert helping other children use AI wisely and responsibly.
She is the world’s youngest IBM-certified AI engineer, a credential she has channelled into AI Learning Academy, a platform built to give students of all ages interactive, personalised learning experiences.
“What excites me most is that AI gives children access to knowledge, creativity, and opportunities like never before,” AlMheiri told Aletihad. “But my biggest concern is that many people use AI without fully understanding it.”
She advocates for AI education that goes beyond technical skills. “It should include ethics, critical thinking, digital responsibility, and human values — not just technology.”
AlMheiri is now working on a youth-focused research initiative exploring how young people engage with artificial intelligence: the opportunities it creates, the challenges they face, and the support they need to use it responsibly.
“I don’t simply want to follow an existing path, I want to help build new ones,” she said.
Beyond AI Learning Academy, she has built a wider portfolio of youth-led initiatives, including the Rainbow Chimney, Eco Club UAE, and Finance for Kids. Each project is designed to equip children early with the tools they need to understand and shape the future.
“I always ask myself one question: ‘Will this help children build a better future?’ If the answer is yes, then it is worth working on,” she said.
Touching Lives Beyond BordersThrough her work, AlMheiri has collected an impressive string of awards and titles, including Guinness World Records. But she says one of the most defining moments of her journey goes beyond the honours: a school in The Gambia once devoted an entire day to her story, her initiatives, and her message.
“Knowing that children on another continent were learning about my journey was truly unforgettable,” AlMheiri told Aletihad. “It reminded me that inspiration knows no borders.”
That experience, she said, confirmed what she had always known to be true — that education and empowerment can travel far beyond geography, carried by shared curiosity and access to opportunity.
Collective Success
While her public achievements often draw attention, AlMheiri says much of her work happens away from the spotlight — through reading, research, writing, and the steady refinement of her ideas.
“I believe what shaped me the most is being encouraged to ask questions and turn ideas into action,” she said. “My parents always reminded me that age should never limit what we can contribute.”
Family support, she added, has been the constant force pushing her journey beyond her own expectations.
“My mother dedicates a huge part of her life to helping my siblings and me learn, explore, and grow,” she said. “My father is equally supportive — he is always one of the first to encourage our ideas.”
It’s this support, she said, that makes her achievements collective rather than individual. “These achievements are the result of a family that learns together, supports one another, and celebrates each other’s success.”
Starting Before Feeling Ready
For young people hesitant to begin their own projects, her advice is simple: “Start before you feel ready. Your first idea does not need to be perfect. Every successful project started as a simple idea that someone was brave enough to try.”
It’s a philosophy that mirrors her own path, one built on experimentation, iteration, and persistence. Now, her ambition is to expand her initiatives while contributing to global conversations on education, AI, and youth development.
“I would love to make quality education accessible to every child,” she said.
“Education has the power to transform lives.”
For AlMheiri, success isn’t defined by age, but by action. “Never think you are too young to make a difference,” she said. “Be curious, keep learning, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to start before you feel ready.”
