[custom_adv] In 2017, they announced the world's first Minister of Artificial Intelligence to spearhead the Gulf state's efforts in machine learning and other cutting-edge technologies. That year, they also tapped a young Emirati engineer, Sarah al-Amiri, to lead the country's efforts into space at a time when the region was paying little attention to what is often described as the final frontier. [custom_adv] Although al-Amiri initially started work as a computer engineer, she later moved into the field of space technology at the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology, where she worked on the UAE's first satellites. For her, it was a dream come true. [custom_adv] The mission has also pushed societal norms. According to Nature, women make up 34% of the mission and 80% of its science team, significantly higher than the 28% represented in the Emirati workforce.Al-Amiri is hoping to bolster those figures by widening Emirati youth engagement in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. [custom_adv] Minister of State for Advanced Sciences. Responsibilities include enhancing the contributions of advanced sciences to the development of the United Arab Emirates and its economy. Chairperson of the United Arab Emirates Council of Scientists and Deputy Project Manager of the Emirates Mars Mission at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. [custom_adv] Started career in the sciences as a Programme Engineer on Dubai Sat-1 and Dubai Sat-2. Bachelor's and Baster’s in Computer Engineering, American University of Sharjah. [custom_adv] The United Arab Emirates is planning to send a spacecraft to Mars and the reins of the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission is in the hands of a woman. In an interview with the BBC, scientist Sarah Al-Amiri who is in charge of the mission said that the probe took over six years to build. [custom_adv] Amiri, who is UAE’s minister of State for Advanced Technology, expressed her nervousness and said that team has invested more than six years into the mission that primarily aims to find out more about the Red Planet. The mission will try and unearth the reason behind Mars’ barren, dusty atmosphere and environment by closely studying its weather and climate.
