In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, AI71 is distinguishing itself by combining the latest AI technology with a firm commitment to inclusivity and responsibility.
While the company is gaining attention for its products leveraging AI to solve real-world business problems, it is the team behind AI71 that truly sets it apart. Based in Abu Dhabi, AI71 is a place where diverse backgrounds converge, shared values drive collaboration, and a collective vision drives the team toward a promising future.
A Culture of Diversity
At AI71, diversity isn’t just a buzzword. It feeds directly into the company’s culture.
With employees hailing from countries such as the UK, Canada, Italy, Morocco, Australia, Belarus, Pakistan, Egypt, Germany, France, Ireland, Ukraine, Denmark, Singapore, Lithuania and the US, the multicultural team fosters inclusivity and adaptability, some of the company’s core strengths.
“I grew up in Jordan, where I developed a passion for technology and engineering early on,” says Qais Al-Lafi, AI71’s Senior Director of Engineering. Al-Lafi previously worked at Microsoft and Amazon in Seattle, where he lived for nearly a decade.
“What makes AI71 stand out is the mix of people and ideas. Our diverse ways of thinking empower us to tackle global challenges.”
This sentiment is shared by Lia Johansson, a Product Marketing Specialist who joined from Germany. "Everyone here brings a different point of view,” she says. “It makes us more creative, because we don’t all think the same way, and we don’t come from the same industries.”
AI71’s approach to diversity extends beyond nationality. It also encompasses professional background. The team brings together diverse expertise across industries, creating a collaborative environment where challenges are approached from multiple perspectives. This cross-functional teamwork leverages individual strengths to drive innovative and well-rounded solutions.
For Mehdi Ghissassi, who spent eight years at Google DeepMind before becoming AI71’s Chief Product Officer, this culture has become instrumental to the company’s vision.
“We’re building a strong technology company with a culture ingrained in this early phase,” he says. “It’s this culture that will set us apart in the long term.”
Shared Goals
The success of AI71 also lies in its collaborative approach to work. The company fosters an environment where every idea is valued, and leadership is defined by contributions rather than job titles.
“Leadership here isn’t about having a specific role,” explains Moulay Alaoui, AI71’s Marketing, Communication and Growth Director, who moved from Australia to join AI71 after nearly a decade at Meta.
“It’s about how you show up and contribute. Everyone’s voice is heard, and everyone has the opportunity to lead and make an impact. This is what makes us strong.”
This shared vision and collaborative spirit fuel the team’s enthusiasm for solving real-world challenges across industries using AI.
AI71 offers a range of solutions, including the enterprise intelligence agent ASK71, which automates routine tasks to enable companies to focus on more strategic, high-value work.
A Commitment to Responsible AI
While many companies are just starting to navigate responsible AI—ensuring ethical, transparent, and fair development and deployment—AI71 has embedded it into its mission from day one, prioritizing privacy, accountability, and societal well-being at every step.
“It’s been part of every conversation from the start,” says Kate Kamarchuk, who leads customer engagement. “Responsible AI isn’t something we added later. It’s been there from day one, shaping how we approach every challenge.”
This commitment ensures that AI71’s products are ethical, adaptable and inclusive, designed to minimize bias, uphold data privacy, and serve diverse linguistic and cultural needs.
“AI should work for everyone,” she adds. “By prioritizing responsible AI development, we ensure that our solutions are fair and accessible.”
Collaboration Inside and Out
But AI71’s collaborative spirit extends beyond its internal team. The company actively partners with universities, industry leaders and research institutions, both in the UAE and globally, including the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), The World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
TII’s open-source Falcon large language model series, alongside other tailored AI solutions from global tech companies, enable AI71 to stay at the forefront of AI innovation by developing and optimizing solutions for real-world applications that meet evolving customer needs.
“In AI, no one can do it all alone,” says Alaoui. “Whether it’s sharing ideas or learning from each other, collaboration is key.”
These partnerships allow AI71 to stay connected to the latest research as well as position the company as a vital contributor to the global AI ecosystem.
AI71 also illustrates the UAE’s ambition to proactively build the foundation to lead in AI, creating an ecosystem that attracts top talent and innovative minds from around the world.
A Future Built on People and Purpose
As AI71 rapidly expands, its focus remains steadfast on its people and its purpose. The team’s diversity, collaborative mindset, and commitment to responsible AI represent guiding principles for today and the foundation for the company’s future.
“The people are the greatest assets of this company,” says Asha Xu, a Technical Program Manager at AI71. “Everyone is here united by the same mission: to work together and build something truly meaningful. That’s what makes AI71 such as great place to be.”
Together, the team at AI71 isn’t just building technology. It’s building a legacy where AI shapes a more inclusive, responsible, and transformative world.