94% of UAE businesses see AI as key driver of growth
Khaled Al Khawaldeh (Abu Dhabi) A new survey shows near-universal optimism about artificial intelligence among UAE businesses, with 94% of enterprises saying they believe AI will be a key driver of future growth, and 47% expecting significant returns on their investments within one to two years.The YouGov survey, commissioned by enterprise solutions firm, SAP, also found that 97% of UAE IT decision-makers are confident in using AI-driven insights to guide critical business decisions. With 72% of respondents saying they were 'very confident,' which Marwan Zeineddine, Managing Director of SAP UAE, said reflected a growing trust in AI's ability to support strategic planning.'AI is already delivering tangible business value, and the UAE market is clearly ready to embrace its potential,' Zeineddine said. 'The survey shows that businesses recognise AI as a key driver of growth, but unlocking its full value requires the right strategies.' According to the survey, 76% of UAE companies are already using industry-specific AI solutions tailored to their operations, a statistic which reflects the evolving nature of AI from a hype-led trend to a digital reality within the workplace. A total of 58% of survey respondents said they were planning to invest in data consolidation and quality improvement initiatives over the next 12 months, a prerequisite for effective AI application. The results were released in conjunction with the SAP NOW AI Tour, held on April 16 at the Dubai Expo Centre ahead of Dubai AI Week which will bring together over 180 speakers across more than 150 sessions to discuss AI best practice. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, opened AI Retreat on Monday declaring that the country would continue its journey to become a world-leading AI centric economy. 'Every single company that's going to be in our digital economy, moving forward, needs to be an AI-first company,' Olama said. In a wide-ranging speech, Olama made the case for the responsible and productive implementation of AI, calling on all segments of society both public and private to work to ensure their work is focused on improving people's lives first and foremost. 'For those of you who have flown from around the world and have come to the UAE, you might have used the smart gates in Dubai airport, and that is an exceptional use of artificial intelligence that improves quality of life,' he said. 'That is the AI we want in the UAE, and that is the AI we think is done right, it's AI that is frictionless, it's AI that you don't feel is AI, and it's Ai that improves your quality of life overall.' Olama also highlighted that 325 companies had been awarded Dubai's AI Seal, a new certification that distinguishes firms offering secure and responsible AI solutions.
'We want to know who's really building best-in-class AI in the UAE, and who's simply repackaging open-source models,' he said, underscoring the need for transparency and quality in AI innovation.
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