According to a new study on LinkedIn, the use of artificial intelligence is growing in UAE workplaces as 80% of 80% of experts (80%) use AI in 2025.
This increased use of AI has made the UAE the second in the world in terms of the highest adoption of AI after India.
Interestingly, four in 10 UAE experts (39%) say that AI has freed up more time to interact with colleagues as they help people work smarter.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on the WhatsApp channel.
The study covers 14 global markets, including the UK, Australia, France, Germany, India, the US, Italy, Spain, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the Netherlands and Brazil.
“UAE experts work hard to get ahead of the curve, and often learn AI skills on their own time and dime,” said Ali Matar, growing market leader in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at LinkedIn.
“This rapid change brings pressure, but it reflects a true hunger for growth. In moments of change, people naturally rely on networks – not only on advice, but also on the security, shared experiences and support that AI can't provide, human connections help build confidence and momentum as they navigate the new world of work,” he said.
Omar bin Sultan Alrama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications in the UAE government, has said that AI usage in the UAE and other developed countries is almost 100%.
“AI usage is close to 100% in the UAE or some developed countries. This is mostly Google that answers today's questions. This is an AI search engine. It gets content on platforms like YouTube, Facebook and other such.
Learning AI as a “second job”
While there is clearly an increase in wider adoption of AI in the UAE, a LinkedIn survey shows that Many experts feel the tension in meeting evolving demands. An overwhelming 73% of experts believe they learn to “do a second job” new AI skills, and 61% believe they haven't yet made use of AI to their full potential.
However, the majority of employees say they are confident they will use AI this year compared to last year.
This study revealed that Over three-quarters of experts (77%) are optimistic about how AI enhances their daily work, with 81% enjoying experimenting with AI and learning new skills every day. Additionally, 73% report using AI more frequently and confidently than a year ago.
Almost three-quarters of experts said they are investing personal time and resources using free tools and employer-led training. However, the pace of change is creating pressure as nearly half (48.4%) feel that expectations are raised and 65% feel pushed to use AI in more advanced and creative ways.
Human contacts
Despite the rise of AI, human connections continue to shape the UAE's career path. The majority (85%) believe that trustworthy colleagues provide insights that AI cannot do, with 82% saying that personal connections weigh more on employment than qualifications.
This is especially true for those who start. 74% say relationships are more important than ever for early career success. And the impact is real. One in three UAE experts have either won a job or have advanced their careers thanks to support from the network.
As AI continues to change the world of work, UAE experts recognize their role as a powerful enabler rather than an alternative. Eight in 10 experts (79%) say a more supportive environment is more important than ever, with nearly one in three relying on online communities to stay connected.
Encouraged, 39% say AI has freed up more time to interact with colleagues. AI helps people work smarter, but it is the human touch that builds trust, moves their teams forward and creates lasting impact.
