The Dubai Future Foundation and IBM Institute for Business Value have released a global study revealing that the UAE is ahead of the curve on AI governance, with local organisations outpacing their international counterparts in implementing the frameworks needed to scale artificial intelligence responsibly.
The study, titled "Orchestrating AI at Scale for Sovereignty and Resilience," draws on responses from more than 1,000 senior executives across 20 countries and 23 sectors. It finds that 20% of UAE organisations are already implementing AI governance platforms, compared to 12% globally, a gap that reflects the country's broader push to build a future-ready digital economy.
Sovereignty is emerging as a boardroom priority. Some 98% of UAE executives say they now factor it into their business strategies, slightly ahead of the 93% global average. UAE organisations also report less difficulty managing AI complexity, with 48% citing it as a challenge compared to 52% worldwide.
Despite the momentum, the report identifies a significant gap between ambition and execution. Only 13% of UAE organisations currently apply comprehensive AI governance frameworks across all initiatives, pointing to considerable room for growth.
The findings make a clear case for structured governance. Organisations that adopt integrated, capability-driven AI models report up to six times greater productivity impact compared to those relying on traditional compliance-based approaches. Nearly two-thirds of organisations in both the UAE and globally are expected to adopt AI systems at scale by 2030.
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, said the report aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, reinforcing the emirate's commitment to leading on advanced technology adoption.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
