Maitha Al Shimmari is a 2023 Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellow. She is also a multidisciplinary professional engineer, energy expert, AI and data science expert, policy and strategy professional, innovation leader, technology entrepreneur, futurist, and an advocate for women in STEM and climate. She has accumulated over thirteen years of working experience in the fields of tech startups, consultancy, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, government, and diplomacy. Most recently, she served in the UAE Prime Minister’s Office and was responsible for leading the development of the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 and its implementation through various initiatives, policies, and regulations. She was a member of the Data Committee and the Cyber Security and Risk Management Committee under the UAE AI and Blockchain Council. Prior to that, she worked as a nuclear system design engineer, equipment qualification engineer, and a transmission engineer to construct the 4-unit 5.6GW Barakah nuclear power plant—the first commercial nuclear power plant in the UAE and the Arab World). 

In addition, Al Shimmari is the founder and CEO of a technology startup located in the UAE that deploys advanced technological solutions in the sustainability, energy, and climate fields. Moreover, she is the founder and president of the Emirati Women in Engineering Network—a non-profit organization that supports UAE female high school and university students pursuing engineering majors and professional engineers working in various engineering disciplines across private, academic, and government sectors. 

Al Shimmari is nearing the end of her journey toward obtaining a DPhil (PhD) in engineering science degree at the University of Oxford. Her research thesis explores deploying advanced technological solutions (data science and AI) in the energy sector to enable renewables’ integration toward achieving a net-zero transition. Al Shimmari holds bachelor’s degrees in computer engineering and electrical and electronics engineering, and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.