Enterprises in the UAE are outpacing their regional peers in realizing the benefits of artificial intelligence, according to a new study by IBM.
The report reveals that UAE businesses are seeing some of the strongest productivity gains in the EMEA region, with most expecting measurable returns on their AI investments within a year.
IBM’s report, The Race for ROI, conducted in partnership with Censuswide, surveyed 3,500 senior executives across ten countries, including 500 from the UAE. It found that 77% of UAE respondents reported significant improvements in operational productivity due to AI—well above the regional average of 66%.
The study highlights that transparency, interoperability, and choice are top priorities for UAE organizations. About 77% of respondents emphasized the need for transparent AI systems that operate ethically, while 78% cited the importance of interoperability for seamless integration into existing IT environments.
Nearly one in five UAE businesses have already achieved ROI from AI-led initiatives, and over 44% expect returns within the next 12 months. These gains are being driven by factors such as time savings, cost reduction, increased revenue, and improved employee satisfaction.
AI’s next frontier, according to the report, lies in AI Agents, with 93% of UAE executives expecting measurable returns from agentic AI within two years. The most substantial productivity boosts are being seen in software development, marketing, IT, customer service, and procurement.
Shukri Eid, General Manager of IBM Gulf, Levant and Pakistan, said the findings show UAE businesses are shifting “from experimentation to execution,” setting a benchmark for AI adoption and proving that responsible AI integration can become a true engine for growth.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
