UAE Firms Lead EMEA in AI Productivity, 44% Expect ROI in a Year
▼ Summary
– 47% of UAE senior leaders are prioritizing inclusive AI workforce transformation to ensure responsible technology adoption.
– 77% of UAE businesses emphasize transparency in AI systems to ensure ethical and responsible operation of the technology.
– UAE businesses report strong AI-driven productivity gains, with 77% achieving operational improvements and many expecting ROI within a year.
– 93% of UAE companies expect agentic AI to deliver measurable ROI within two years, particularly in software development, marketing, and customer service.
– UAE organizations value interoperability (78%) and flexibility (80%) in AI systems, while facing barriers like data infrastructure and security concerns.
Businesses across the United Arab Emirates are achieving some of the most impressive productivity gains from artificial intelligence in the entire EMEA region, with a substantial number anticipating a return on their investment within just one year. A recent study surveying senior executives reveals that the UAE is not only adopting AI rapidly but is also linking its use directly to measurable business outcomes.
The research, which included 500 senior leaders from the UAE, found that 77 percent of organizations in the country have realized significant operational productivity improvements through AI, a figure that stands well above the regional average of 66 percent. About one in five respondents confirmed their company has already met its ROI targets from AI initiatives. More strikingly, an average of 44 percent expect to see a full return on their AI investment within the next 12 months, with benefits spanning cost reduction, time savings, revenue growth, employee satisfaction, and improved customer loyalty scores.
Looking ahead, the introduction of AI Agents promises even greater efficiency. An overwhelming 93 percent of UAE businesses believe that agentic AI will deliver measurable ROI within a two-year timeframe. The business functions witnessing the largest AI-driven productivity boosts are software development, IT, advertising and marketing, account management, customer service, and procurement. Executives reported that the primary advantages of this enhanced productivity are greater operational efficiency, improved decision-making, and the augmentation of workforce capabilities through the automation of repetitive tasks.
Clients in the UAE are clearly shifting from experimental AI projects to full-scale execution. Leaders are strategically connecting AI adoption to tangible productivity, faster financial returns, and comprehensive workforce transformation. The data indicates that companies are increasingly leveraging AI to enable profound strategic changes. Among those reporting major productivity gains, nearly a quarter credit AI with fundamentally altering their business models. Approximately one-third are already using the technology to accelerate innovation, transition to continuous AI-driven decision-making, and redesign core business processes around AI. Another 40 percent plan to implement similar changes across all operational areas.
A significant 55 percent of senior leaders stated that AI is augmenting the capabilities of their workforce. The time saved from productivity gains is being reinvested into developing new ideas, upskilling employees, advancing sustainability and ESG initiatives, strategic planning, and fostering creative work. Furthermore, 47 percent of senior leaders in the UAE said they are prioritizing an inclusive AI workforce transformation, ensuring the transition benefits all employees.
For UAE businesses, transparency remains a cornerstone of responsible AI adoption. A large majority, 77 percent, emphasized that transparency in AI systems and models is critical to ensuring the technology is used ethically. Similarly, 78 percent highlighted the necessity for interoperability to seamlessly integrate AI tools into existing IT infrastructures, while 80 percent valued the flexibility to choose and adapt AI solutions as business needs change.
Despite the positive momentum, companies face several barriers to scaling successful AI pilots. The top challenges identified include inadequate data infrastructure, data fragmentation, and concerns regarding security, privacy, and ethics. IT complexity, high upfront costs, and a general reluctance to invest in AI and automation initiatives were also cited as significant hurdles.
To accelerate the return on AI investments, the report suggests enterprise leaders focus on five key priorities: establishing an effective AI operating model, cultivating widespread AI literacy and a culture of innovation, embracing rapid organizational change, understanding risk through strong governance frameworks, and creating a cross-company “AI Board” to oversee the ethical deployment of AI technologies.
(Source: Economy Middle East)
