In a time when digital frontiers are rapidly expanding, Eng. Eman Ahmed stands out as a trailblazer in the Arab world. As the first Emirati woman to establish a company rooted in the metaverse, she is not just shaping virtual landscapes—she is redefining what leadership in technology means for the region. Founder and CEO of Avitech, Eman has turned curiosity into innovation, and innovation into a national contribution. In this exclusive interview, she shares her journey, challenges, vision, and how Arab women are at the forefront of the next technological revolution.

Eman Ahmed’s journey began with a simple yet profound question: “What would the future look like if we were the ones designing it?” As an engineer and lifelong tech enthusiast, her curiosity was fueled by growing up in an Emirati environment that supports digital ambition. In 2015, she launched a small research project focused on interactive environments. What started as academic exploration soon evolved into a visionary idea—the founding of Avitech, the first Emirati company rooted in the metaverse. With it came a bold purpose: to be builders, not followers.

For Eman, the convergence of artificial intelligence and the metaverse represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative shift in how we perceive and interact with value. She sees this fusion as redefining user experience, as AI injects intelligence and responsiveness into boundless virtual spaces. In the UAE, this powerful combination is helping build a digital economy that transcends sectors, including education, healthcare, retail, and government services.

Launching a company in such a nascent industry was no easy task. One of the most significant challenges Eman faced was building trust. Many people struggled to understand what the metaverse really was, so she and her team had to demonstrate its tangible value rather than just pitching futuristic concepts. There was also a shortage of specialized local talent, which led her to establish an internal academy to train the team in emerging technologies. At the same time, they navigated an evolving regulatory landscape, finding creative ways to innovate while remaining compliant.

Avitech today is at the forefront of real-world digital transformation in the UAE. The company is behind a range of projects, from interactive platforms for ministries to intelligent virtual stores and industrial training simulators. Each solution is AI-driven, scalable, and designed to align with national ambitions. Eman emphasizes that their mission is not to ride the wave of digital change, but to help lay its foundation and lead the way forward.

She believes strongly in the power and perspective that Arab women bring to technology and innovation. According to her, Arab women contribute unique problem-solving abilities and a deep sense of responsibility. They no longer belong behind the scenes but deserve to be at the helm of change. At Avitech, more than 60% of the team are women, and this is not a symbolic move—it’s a commitment to real leadership. For Eman, women shouldn’t just be included in transformation efforts, they should be the ones designing and leading them.

Eman points to a standout project as a prime example of how Avitech uses AI within the metaverse to create real-world impact. In collaboration with a major energy company, they developed a virtual environment simulating an offshore platform. Technicians could train in this space with AI-powered interaction, resulting in a 40% reduction in training costs and a significant improvement in safety. In retail, Avitech has also built AI-enabled virtual stores that recognize customer preferences—even interpreting tone of voice—to deliver a more personalized experience.

Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in the region is grounded in purpose and clarity. She urges them to start with a problem, not with technology. Rather than chasing hype, she recommends pursuing meaningful, high-impact ideas. Education, cross-cultural collaboration, and ethical intent should be at the core of every venture. Web3 and the metaverse, in her view, are not just innovations—they are new philosophies that change how we think, connect, and create value.

Looking ahead, Eman’s personal vision for Avitech is to become a global leader in developing AI-powered metaverse environments that carry a distinct Arab identity. One of the company’s current flagship projects involves building a prototype for a “digital capital” focused on education and smart governance. She sees the Middle East as a future global epicenter for metaverse development, empowered by visionary leadership and a new generation of youth who believe that nothing is impossible.

As Eng. Eman Ahmed continues to drive transformation from the heart of the UAE, her mission is clear and unwavering.

“We aim to be a global launchpad from the UAE to the world.

We are the changemakers in a world that knows no impossible.”

With leaders like Eman paving the way, the future is not just virtual—it’s bold, inclusive, and unmistakably Emirati.