Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Seventy-nine percent of business leaders in the UAE trust artificial intelligence (AI) to make budget decisions and manage talent functions, covering key aspects like compensation, hiring, and performance evaluation, according to a recent poll.
The research, conducted by next-generation technology services provider Endava in partnership with 3Gem, surveyed 300 UAE business leaders across various industries to explore their views on AI in business, personal life, and society.
The survey revealed broad confidence in the technology's capabilities, with 80% of respondents saying they would feel comfortable with AI-driven systems overseeing critical health and safety functions at work.
For UAE businesses, adopting AI emerged as the top strategic priority, followed by enhancing client services and investing in other technologies.
This trust extends beyond the workplace into personal decision-making, according to the study.
Four in five respondents said they would rely on fully automated AI systems for major career decisions, including salary progression and timing for promotions or job changes.
An equally high percentage trust AI for personal financial management, such as investment and retirement planning, as well as for automated health recommendations.
The study also showed that 74% of respondents agree that access to AI is as essential for UAE society as access to utilities like water and energy. Moreover, 79% believe that successful AI implementation will significantly improve the quality of life in the country.
National Strategy
The UAE is rapidly solidifying its position as a global AI leader with billion-dollar investments in AI infrastructure and innovation announced this year.
This momentum appears to resonate with the public, as 46% of those surveyed feel the UAE is ahead of the world in AI adoption and usage.
When asked to rank global AI leaders, the Middle East was placed third, after the US and China.
"Trust is the critical enabler of any AI strategy. The UAE's clear national vision, its youthful and tech-savvy demographic, and its digital-first mindset give organisations a unique opportunity to innovate with confidence," said David Boast, General Manager for UAE and Saudi Arabia at Endava.
"While other regions remain cautious, weighed down by debates over job displacement, our research shows that businesses in the UAE can move forward with certainty, knowing their workforces are not only ready for AI, but actively embracing it."
The study's findings indicate optimism about AI's impact on the job market. Nearly 75% of business leaders say their organisations have already created or plan to create dedicated AI roles, such as 'Head of AI.'
The same percentage believe AI will improve employee job satisfaction, while 71% report AI has directly boosted their company's profitability.
There is also a sense of urgency: 66% of respondents think their organisation risks losing market share within two years if it fails to advance its AI capabilities, while 35% warn this could happen in less than a year.
According to Endava, around 30% of companies plan to significantly increase AI investments in 2025 compared to 2024.
