Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and societies worldwide and women leaders are playing a pivotal role in that transformation. Across the UK and the broader Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, women in AI are driving cutting-edge research, championing ethical AI, building impactful startups, and shaping public policy.
Here’s a spotlight on the Top 10 Women in AI in the UK and EMEA who are inspiring change and advancing the field in 2026.
1. Dr. Joanna Bryson (UK) - AI Ethicist & Researcher
Dr. Bryson is a leading voice in AI ethics and governance. Her work spans transparency, accountability, and human-centric AI, helping global organisations establish responsible frameworks for intelligent systems.
2. Prof. Maja Pantić (UK) - Affect AI & Computer Vision Pioneer
A professor and researcher, Maja Pantić specialises in human behaviour analysis and emotion recognition. Her innovative work combines deep learning with psychological insight, impacting assistive technology and human-machine interaction.
3. Nuria Oliver (Spain) - AI Researcher & Public Policy Leader
Nuria bridges research, industry, and public policy. Her work focuses on human behaviour models, ethical decision making, and AI for social good helping governments and organisations adopt trustworthy AI.
4. Zoubida Charifi (France) - Data & AI Strategy Executive
Zoubida has led strategic AI programmes in major enterprises, aligning data science, AI engineering, and organisational value creation. Her leadership drives digital transformation across diverse sectors.
5. Dr. Ayesha Khanna (Middle East) AI Strategist & Entrepreneur
An AI entrepreneur and advisor, Dr. Khanna focuses on AI adoption, smart cities, and AI’s role in economic innovation. She shapes how organisations implement AI for sustainable impact.
6. Dr. Carole Barry (UK) - Responsible AI Advocate
Dr. Barry champions ethical AI standards and fairness in machine learning. She works with industry and policymakers to ensure AI systems protect human rights and support inclusive outcomes.
7. Rana el Kaliouby (EMEA) - Affect AI & Human-Centric Intelligence
Rana is known for her leadership in emotion AI and human-aligned intelligence. Her work emphasises empathetic AI interactions and ethical design principles that prioritise user wellbeing.
8. Dr. Adele Cutler (UK) - Machine Learning Expert & Educator
An influential figure in machine learning research and education, Dr. Cutler’s contributions span statistical learning, interpretable models, and teaching the next generation of AI practitioners.
9. Dr. Sofia Merlo (Europe) AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences
Dr. Merlo applies AI to healthcare challenges, medical imaging, and predictive diagnostics. Her research bridges clinical practice and machine learning, improving patient care through intelligent systems.
10. Loubna Bouarfa (Europe) - AI in Health Technology
Loubna leverages AI to detect patterns in medical and industrial data, focusing on healthcare diagnostics and predictive analytics. Her work applies practical AI solutions to real-world problems.
Why These Women Matter
The women on this list stand out for:
Thought Leadership
They shape academic research, public policy, and industry standards.
Innovation
Their work pushes the boundaries of what AI can do from affective computing to health diagnosis.
Ethical Commitment
They champion fairness, transparency, and responsibility in AI systems.
Impact Across Sectors
Their influence spans healthcare, public policy, enterprise transformation, and social impact initiatives.
The Importance of Diversity in AI
AI systems only work as well as the people who build them. Greater diversity including gender diversity leads to:
- Fairer and less biased systems
- Broader problem framing and real-world relevance
- Increased creativity in design and application
- AI solutions that reflect diverse perspectives and needs
Highlighting women leaders in AI not only celebrates achievement but also encourages more inclusive participation in shaping the future. The UK and EMEA region are home to extraordinary women whose work is advancing artificial intelligence across disciplines and industries. From ethical frameworks to applied research and strategic leadership, these influencers are helping ensure that AI benefits everyone. As AI continues to evolve, recognising and supporting diverse leadership will be crucial for innovation that is both powerful and responsible.
