UAE ranked among top nations in global AI adoption

April 16, 2026 (MLN): The United Arab Emirates has been identified as a major global centre for artificial intelligence, according to the AI Index Report 2026 released by Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI).

The report places the country among the world’s leading performers in AI-related strategy, governance, and institutional backing, highlighting its strong showing across areas such as workforce skills, technology adoption, job creation, and talent development.

It notes that AI usage in the UAE is significantly high compared with its economic size, with over 80% of employees reportedly using AI tools in their daily work and expressing strong confidence in them, APP reported.

 Alongside Singapore, the UAE stands out for its rapid and widespread integration of AI technologies.

The findings also show a sharp rise in AI expertise within the country, with engineering skills growing faster than general awareness.

Between 2019 and 2025, the concentration of AI talent more than doubled, and the UAE recorded a strong net inflow of professionals at about 4.40 per 10,000 LinkedIn users.

In addition, AI-related vacancies made up roughly 2.87% of all job postings in 2025, placing the UAE among the top countries globally in demand for AI-skilled workers.

The report further highlights the UAE’s long-term strategy for AI development through the National AI Strategy 2031, which will introduce compulsory AI education across all school levels starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, focusing on areas like data literacy, algorithms, innovation, and ethical use.

It also points to Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute as a key contributor to global AI research, particularly for its work on the Falcon model series.

Overall, the report reinforces the UAE’s position as one of the fastest-advancing nations in artificial intelligence adoption and innovation worldwide.

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