The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), with UAE AI professionals ranking second worldwide, according to LinkedIn data. However, only India ranks first because 85% of its workforce regularly uses AI.
Notably, 80 percent of professionals now use AI tools regularly, which is up from 56% in 2024. Thus, it shows a remarkable leap in only 12 months. However, Saudi Arabia follows the place with 77% followed by Brazil (76%) and Singapore (72%).
Professionals Leading the UAE AI Adoption
Ali Matar, EMEA Growth Markets Leader at LinkedIn, said, “The UAE professionals are working hard to stay ahead of the curve by learning AI skills on their own time and dime.” He further noted that the shift brings pressure and shows the real hunger for growth.
AI is increasingly becoming a part of daily life in the UAE. Moreover, tools like ChatGPT are becoming famous for workplace productivity and personal use. So, the rise of AI-powered smartphones from brands like Honor, Samsung, and Apple has also boosted the wider adoption.
Optimism Meets Pressure
The survey from LinkedIn has shown the following results:
- 81% of UAE professionals enjoy experimenting with AI and learning new skills.
- 73% feel more confident using AI compared to last year.
- 73% describe learning AI skills as “having a second job.”
Despite this excitement, 61 percent of people believe they are not using AI to its fullest potential. On the other hand, nearly half (48.4%) report feeling mounting expectations to learn new tools.
Balancing AI with Human Connection
It is quite interesting to learn that professionals still value personal relationships despite the rise of AI. Thus, the report found that 85 percent depend on trusted colleagues for insights that AI can’t provide. Similarly, 82 percent believe human connections matter more in hiring than qualifications.
Networking is important for early-career professionals. So, 74 percent say relationships are more important than ever for career success. In addition, one out of three professionals in the UAE reported landing a job or career advancement due to support from their human network.
The Future of Work in the UAE
The fast adoption of AI in the UAE shows a strong drive for innovation and competitiveness. However, human connection is still not replaceable with AI. Still, AI can be used to boost productivity, which continues to shape the growth in the Emirates.
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