Gamechangers: AI | Noor Connect’s Divya Unnikrishnan Says The MENA Can Become A Transformative Force In The Global AI Landscape

Having worked in the domains of data science and artificial intelligence (AI) for 20 years, Divya Unnikrishnan is well-placed in her role as the co-founder and Chief AI Officer of Noor Connect, a specialized Dubai-based business networking platform that has been designed to help companies connect, collaborate, and grow in the digital- first economy through AI-powered solutions. At the same time, she has also been leading the product development for a fashiontech product called Aaeina, which is all about enabling personalized, scalable, and seamless phygital shopping experiences.

The work that Unnikrishnan does has thus given her a clear vantage point on AI’s trajectory in the MENA. “The future is exciting and innovative, especially in this region, where growth and innovation are acknowledged and supported by the right governments, policies, and ecosystem,” she says. “The road ahead is challenging and exciting, and the impact that AI can have on workforces and organizations is tremendous.”

But Unnikrishnan also sees this momentum extending into how the region shapes AI at a global level. “The region has the potential to become a transformative force and a key decision-maker in the global AI landscape,” she declares. “It can play a pivotal role in shaping AI to be trustworthy, unbiased, and ethically grounded. The region can also help ensure that AI is not concentrated in the hands of a few technology players, but instead developed in an inclusive way that serves the broader good of society.”

Pictured in the lead image is Divya Unnikrishnan, co-founder and Chief AI Officer of Noor Connect. Image courtesy Noor Connect​​​​​​.

Unnikrishnan was one of the innovators celebrated in the 2026 edition of Gamechangers: AI, an annual Inc. Arabia showcase of the business leaders driving the AI revolution in the MENA. Check out the full list by clicking here.