New research from HireRight shows that artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to make the most sensitive decisions in the workplace in the UAE, with employers deploying it not only to support recruitment but also to decide which employees are promoted and which employees are fired.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by global background checks and workforce solutions provider, found that 42% of UAE employers use AI to support promotion decisions, the highest percentage of all markets surveyed, and 31% use AI tools to support decisions to terminate employees. Only 14% of respondents said their organization’s HR function is not currently using AI.
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While AI is playing a growing role in HR decision-making, employers appear to be taking a balanced view of candidates using technology during recruitment.
The survey found that 67% of HR decision makers in the UAE are confident in AI-assisted identification of resumes and job applications, while 44% have a positive view of the use of AI in candidates, and a further 44% have a neutral opinion. Only 7% said they viewed the use of AI negatively.
James Randall, Middle East sales director at HireRight, said the findings suggest that employers are becoming less concerned about whether candidates use AI and more focused on validating a candidate’s credibility and suitability for the role.
“This survey shows that many UAE HR leaders are adopting a pragmatic stance regarding the use of candidate generation AI tools. The focus is shifting from whether candidates use AI to how organizations assess a candidate’s credibility and suitability for the role, something that strong background checks can support.”
impersonation fraud
The report also highlighted growing concerns about privacy fraud in the recruitment process.
Almost 63 percent of HR and recruitment leaders in the UAE said they discovered identity fraud among candidates or employees in 2025. This is one of the highest rates recorded across the markets studied. Of those who discovered fraud, 30% identified it during hiring and 29% discovered it through employee reviews or monitoring. Meanwhile, 40% only discovered fraud after fraud or theft had already occurred.
Employers in the UAE rank accuracy and quality of results as a top priority (41%) when choosing a background check provider, followed by candidate experience (36%) and speed (36%). Screening is increasingly used to identify conduct that violates corporate values, protect a company’s reputation, and enhance workplace security.
biggest challenge
The survey also highlighted growing recruitment challenges across the UAE.
Approximately 32% of employers say finding qualified candidates remains their biggest recruitment challenge, and the same percentage cite the high volume of job applications. Nearly 31% said it was becoming increasingly difficult to meet pay and benefits expectations.
Employers are also facing rising employment costs. Nearly one-third said they experienced a higher-than-expected number of employee departures in 2025, 30% experienced an increase in new hire turnover, 28% reported increased hiring costs, and 27% said vacancies remained unfilled for three to six months.
Randall said while the UAE continues to attract talent from around the world, organizations need to balance technology with sound hiring decisions.
“In a market where hiring costs are rising, fraud is more prevalent than the global average, and AI is reshaping how employees make decisions, organizations that combine rigorous vetting, human judgment, and smart use of technology will succeed,” he said.
