The United Arab Emirates has achieved a significant technological milestone by securing the third position globally in the “AI Adoption Index,” surpassing major economies such as the United States and Japan. A recent analysis conducted by Cyber News, which evaluated 64 countries, indicates that the UAE has emerged as one of the fastest-growing nations in this domain, with usage rates soaring from 10% in 2023 to 56% by 2025.
According to the report, the UAE recorded a staggering annual growth rate of 107% in AI app downloads, with numbers rising from 1.1 million to 6.3 million downloads.
This remarkable ascent can be attributed to years of strategic planning, starting with the launch of the world’s first national AI strategy in 2017 and continuing with the “UAE AI Strategy 2031.”
Conversely, the report revealed an unexpected decline in traditional tech powerhouses; the United States, despite hosting the largest tech companies, landed at the 28th position with an adoption rate of 41%. Japan surprised observers by ranking 57th, with only 17%, which experts attribute to factors related to the business environment, regulations, and demographics.
Researchers from Cyber News based their study on download data from over 100 popular AI applications from the Google Play Store and Apple Store. The study included nations representing 70% of the global GDP and 55% of the world’s population, making it one of the most comprehensive surveys of the current state of AI.
On a different note, the report noted explosive growth in countries like Nigeria (+600%), Pakistan (+300%), and India (+267%). However, these nations still face obstacles that hinder widespread adoption, such as unstable power supply and limited internet coverage in rural areas.
The study concluded that early investment in national strategies is crucial for excelling in the digital era.
It emphasized that “agile” countries like the UAE, which have successfully adapted their laws and institutions rapidly, will be better positioned to lead global innovation and productivity, while the gap between early adopters and laggards may widen in the future.