According to a recent report by Dataiku, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, with an impressive 74% of companies and organizations in the country maintaining or increasing their investment in AI initiatives. This figure surpasses the 69% of companies across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region that have followed a similar path.
The report also highlights that an overwhelming 98% of UAE businesses consider AI to be a crucial factor in enabling resilience amidst current economic conditions, outperforming the 95% of businesses in the EMEA region that share the same sentiment.
Further findings from the Dataiku research, which surveyed IT decision-makers in the EMEA region, reveal that 68% of UAE organizations are allocating up to half of their technology budgets towards AI.
Sid Bhatia, the Regional Vice President and General Manager for the Middle East and Turkey at Dataiku, attributes the UAE’s strong AI adoption to its emphasis on gaining a competitive advantage and enhancing customer experiences.
The UAE has been a pioneer in AI adoption, having introduced an AI strategy, UAE 2031, in 2017. The strategy outlines the government’s plans to leverage AI for improved governance and identifies eight sectors targeted for transformation, including space, renewable energy, water, and education.
Bhatia emphasizes the need for democratizing AI to fully unlock its value and achieve business goals, rather than leaving progress solely in the hands of data scientists and technologists. He points to platforms like ChatGPT and Bard as examples of the wide availability of AI tools.
In related news, Saudi-based AI company Mozn has expanded its operations to the UAE, offering technology designed to assist financial institutions in complying with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and detecting suspicious activities. This move further strengthens the UAE’s AI ecosystem.
Additionally, Dubai-based popsicle brand House of Pops is expanding its reach to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Known for its plant-based, gluten-free, and low-sugar popsicles, the company has signed franchise deals to open its first stores in these countries in 2023.
With the UAE leading the charge in AI adoption and fostering technological advancements, it is poised to continue driving innovation and growth in the region’s AI landscape.
