A2RL Emirati Women’s Day: Building the future of autonomous mobility From the garage to the forefront of AI-driven racing, Emirati women are helping shape the next generation of engineering and autonomous technology As the UAE marks Emirati Women’s Day 2026 under the theme “We Emerge Stronger and Better”, the occasion offers an opportunity to reflect on the growing role of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Across the country, Emirati women are increasingly contributing to advanced industries, from artificial intelligence (AI) and aerospace to robotics and autonomous mobility. One example is Amna AlMarzooqi, race car mechanic at the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), where she works at the intersection of traditional engineering and cutting-edge autonomous vehicle technology. Her role shows how the UAE’s investment in innovation is creating new pathways for women to enter highly technical fields that were once largely male-dominated. For AlMarzooqi, one of the most exciting aspects of working in autonomous motorsport is witnessing how multiple disciplines come together to make advanced technologies function reliably in the real world. “What excites me most is seeing how intelligence and engineering have to work together,” she says. “The AI can only make good decisions if the sensors, electrical systems and mechanical components supporting it perform reliably.” That challenge has become even more apparent as A2RL prepares for its first international race at Italy’s Imola circuit. Unlike Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, Imola presents narrower racing lines, elevation changes and significantly less margin for error, creating a new testing ground for autonomous systems. Race circuits are the ultimate testbed While autonomous racing may appear niche, the technologies being developed have implications far beyond motorsport. Advances in sensor fusion, autonomous navigation and real-time decision-making could eventually support sectors such as public transport, logistics, infrastructure management and emergency