Artificial intelligence is now widely used in UAE workplaces, with 85 per cent of employees saying they use the technology on the job, although 67 per cent remain concerned that it could replace existing roles, according to research by the Oliver Wyman Forum.
The findings point to a gap between the rapid adoption of AI and workers’ confidence about their career prospects. While 56 per cent of employees said the technology had improved their productivity and 54 per cent reported a better work-life balance, concerns about job security remain widespread.
The 300,000 Voices – UAE Edition report found that 48 per cent of employees use AI daily, while 63 per cent use it at least three times a week. The study also found that 42 per cent would prefer an AI colleague or manager to a human one, compared with 28 per cent globally.
However, communication about AI strategies remains limited. Only 26 per cent of executives and 6 per cent of frontline employees said their organisations had clearly explained their AI plans and kept workers informed about progress.
Despite these concerns, job satisfaction among UAE employees stood at 75 per cent, above the global figure of 66 per cent. Yet only 25 per cent said they felt fulfilled at work, indicating that satisfaction with a job does not always translate into a sense of purpose or achievement.
The report also identified a gap between employees’ training needs and what employers provide. Some 51 per cent wanted leadership training, while only 34 per cent said their organisations offered it.
Among Generation Z employees, 60 per cent said career progression and financial independence were worth prioritising over work-life balance. A further 73 per cent expressed confidence in the future of their companies.
AI use also extends beyond the workplace. The research found that 80 per cent of UAE respondents had used the technology for healthcare-related purposes, compared with 65 per cent globally. It is also influencing investment decisions, with 64 per cent of lower-income respondents and 65 per cent of higher-income respondents using AI to guide their investments.
Entrepreneurial ambitions were also higher than the global average. Some 54 per cent of UAE respondents said they wanted to own a business, almost double the worldwide figure of 28 per cent.
Consumer expectations are changing as well. Around 65 per cent said they would switch brands after a single poor experience, while 71 per cent expected companies to remember their preferences and previous purchases. Some 78 per cent had used AI to discover and buy products.
Dr Mona Hammami, Partner and Head of the UAE at Oliver Wyman, said employers needed to explain more clearly how AI would affect jobs and the skills workers would need. She said high adoption alone did not resolve concerns about job security.
The UAE findings draw on 5,285 participants across several survey waves, with most results collected in 2025 and an additional survey conducted in April 2026. The research forms part of a five-year international programme covering nearly 300,000 respondents across 20 markets.
