Persistence Over Perfection: An AI Engineer’s Tale from the UAE

By Rahman Mohammad Ali – AI & Data Engineer | @rxhman

Start Small, Dream Big

"Work so hard that people think the aliens did it"

Born and raised in Bahrain, the UAE was not unfamiliar, I understood the culture, the pace, the expectations. But when it came to building a career, it still felt like starting from zero.

No networks. No shortcuts. Just long days, a lot of trial and error, and a quiet determination to grow. I did not come with a blueprint. I came with a belief, that effort, consistency, and curiosity would take me where I needed to go.

There are always days filled with self-doubt:

“Am I good enough?”Will I ever be recognized for this?”

But I learned that the only way forward is through the mini wins, the silent effort, and the discipline to keep going even when nothing feels certain.

Momentum does not start with big moves. It starts with showing up, again and again.

The Power of Asking 'Why'

I did not just chase titles. I chased understanding.

I like asking things others skipped-

“Why are we building this?"

"What problem are we really solving?"

"Can this help someone?”

This mindset slowly opened doors.

The trust did not arrive in a moment- It was built quietly, through consistency, clarity, and showing up again and again.

One day, as I was settling into the role of an experienced colleague,

a senior person walked by someone I did not know. They paused, looked at me, and said bluntly,

“You look too young for this kind of responsibility. You should not be sitting in that chair.”

I did not argue. I simply smiled.

I was one of the youngest in the department yet trusted with that responsibility by my head.

So, I focused on what mattered: doing my best and letting my work speak for itself.

A month later, as I wrapped up tasks on that project and was preparing to transition out, the

same person returned. This time, the tone had shifted.

They said, “You have done great here. Why are you leaving now?”

"Then quietly added لماذا يأخذ الله الصالحين بسرعة؟(Why does Allah take good people quickly?)"

A moment that reminds quiet dedication, speaks louder than any defense!

Failing Forward in Silence

There were days when I worked on hustle AI projects, and nothing worked. The models failed. The pipelines broke. The systems crashed.

You will feel invisible. Overlooked. Unseen.

But still, do show up.

Give it your all. Every single time.

Because even when no one else is watching, God is. And even without applause, you are still building something inside:

Sabr (patience),Tawakkul (trust), and Resilience. Even the failure, if accepted with faith, is a favour, a teacher in disguise.

I believe in “When you walk towards God, He runs towards you.” So you walk. You show up. You trust.

A Question for YOU!

What if you do get that dream job?

What if the money, the role, the title, all show up?

Then what?

Will it be enough?

How do you carry yourself when no one’s watching?

Because maybe, just maybe, real success isn't in what the world sees, But in who you become when no one’s looking.

Not in the spotlight...

But in the silence.

To you, the Reader

If you are feeling lost, tired, or like no one sees your effort...

Trust me, God does.

Do not stop just because it is hard.

Do not compare your path.

Keep showing up with sincerity.

Because one day, you will realize no one was really watching you, and you could have done whatever you wanted.

But the cost of never taking a risk? It is spending the rest of your life wishing you had!

So, walk.

With clear intentions.

With small, daily efforts.

Because in the long run, impact will echo louder than attention ever could.

---

Rahman Mohammad Ali

Artificial Intelligence & Data Engineer | @rxhman / @exeeo / www.linkedin.com/in/rxhman

"For those who build quietly... may your light shine the loudest."