A recent report by Dell Technologies titled “Innovation Catalyst Study” indicates that companies in the UAE are increasingly prioritizing artificial intelligence (AI) as a strategic focus.
This global survey, named “The State of Innovation and Artificial Intelligence,” captured the opinions of 2,850 decision-makers within the business and IT sectors, including 50 from the UAE. The findings revealed that 92% of organizations in the UAE view AI as an “integral part” of their business strategies.
Additionally, 88% of UAE respondents reported tangible productivity gains and financial returns from their initial investments in AI. The study highlighted that 64% of these companies have made “data readiness for AI” a top priority within their IT initiatives.
Furthermore, the report noted that 74% of organizations plan to implement AI software and operate it on enhanced personal computers within the next year. Also, 92% of UAE companies recognize the critical role of AI in improving resource efficiency and promoting sustainability.
The study demonstrated that 78% of companies in the UAE encounter challenges in fully integrating AI across all their operations, while 30% are still in the early to mid-stages of their AI adoption journey. Despite the significant progress made by UAE firms in adopting AI, effectively scaling these technologies across the organization will require a comprehensive approach.
The study confirmed that all surveyed companies in the UAE believe their teams lack essential skills. Moreover, 72% expressed concerns about exposing sensitive corporate data and intellectual property to third-party AI tools, a notable increase from last year’s 64%. Additionally, 80% of companies reported difficulties in balancing innovation with the need to mitigate cybersecurity risks.
Waleed Yahya, General Manager of Dell Technologies for the South Gulf region, stated, “The findings from the ‘Reality of Innovation and AI’ survey reveal a significant shift in how companies in the UAE adopt these technologies to foster innovation and growth. Organizations are moving beyond pilot projects and are actively integrating AI into their core strategies. While this transformation highlights the promising potential of AI, leveraging its full impact requires addressing critical challenges, from upskilling the workforce to ensuring secure and collaborative implementation of these technologies.”