Study: 92% of UAE companies realize the pivotal role of AI in their businesses
A recent study revealed that the growing momentum of artificial intelligence adoption in the United Arab Emirates is opening up broad opportunities for skills development and business expansion, as these technologies have become a core component of most companies’ strategies in the country.
The State of Innovation and AI study, issued by Dell Technologies, found that artificial intelligence has become a strategic priority for companies operating in the UAE. According to the study’s findings, organizations are no longer limiting themselves to pilot projects, but have begun integrating AI into the heart of their core business operations. The findings were revealed in an event Dell Technologies hosted today in Dubai, with MENA TECH’s team in attendance.
Dell Technologies Forum – Dubai
The study highlighted a set of key drivers behind AI adoption in the UAE, most notably the focus on data readiness, which the majority of companies classified as a critical factor for enabling AI applications. The results also showed a growing trend toward running AI locally within organizations, driven by concerns related to data sovereignty and regulatory compliance.
According to the study, 92% of companies in the UAE recognize the pivotal role of AI in improving resource efficiency and enhancing sustainability through intelligent data center management, reducing underutilized workloads, and supporting circular IT practices.
Despite this progress, the study indicated that 78% of companies face challenges in fully integrating AI across all their operations, while 30% are still in the early or intermediate stages of their adoption journey. The most prominent obstacles include the skills gap, security concerns, and the readiness of the IT infrastructure.
The study’s findings also included the following:
- 88% of participating companies reported achieving tangible financial returns and/or productivity gains from their initial investments in AI.
- 64% of companies identified data readiness for AI as a top priority in their IT initiatives.
- 100% of participating companies believe their teams lack the necessary skills to fully leverage AI.
Commenting on the results, Walid Yahya, Managing Director of Dell Technologies in the Gulf region, said the study reflects a fundamental shift in how companies in the UAE are adopting AI to drive innovation and growth. He emphasized that realizing the full impact of these technologies requires investment in skills development and ensuring secure, collaborative implementation.
