AI adoption reached 72% of UAE businesses, up from 53% a year earlier, the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office and Amazon Web Services (AWS) said on 30 September in a joint research announcement carried by Zawya.
Key points
- Strand Partners puts year-on-year growth in UAE business AI adoption at 36%.
- Among businesses adopting AI, 85% report a faster pace of digital change.
- AWS says it is investing up to AED 20.1 billion ($5.47 billion) in its UAE cloud region through 2037.
- AWS also describes a $1 billion investment with e& in sovereign cloud and AI capabilities.
Strand Partners puts UAE adoption growth at 36%
Strand Partners developed the report, titled Unlocking the UAE’s AI Potential 2026, as part of the collaboration between the AI Office and AWS. It puts the rise from 53% to 72% at 36% year on year.
The research also says 85% of UAE businesses adopting AI report a faster pace of digital change. That measure describes the experience reported by adopters, while the 72% figure describes adoption across businesses.
Dr. Abdelrahman Al Mahmoud, Director at the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office, said the office was focused on helping organisations develop and expand AI applications. He described the adoption figure as progress towards the country’s national AI ambitions.
The report calls for broader access to funding for AI-focused startups and smaller businesses. Its other priorities are responsible adoption supported by cloud infrastructure, regulation that enables innovation, and measures to address shortages of AI skills.
AWS puts UAE region investment at AED 20.1 billion
AWS says it is investing up to AED 20.1 billion ($5.47 billion) in the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region through 2037. The company estimates that investment will contribute AED 41 billion ($11.16 billion) to UAE gross domestic product.
The cloud region is part of AWS’s provision of infrastructure and tools to UAE organisations using AI. Chris Erasmus, Managing Director for AWS, UAE & MENA Growth Markets, said the company’s infrastructure investment, partnerships and training were intended to help organisations expand AI use.
AWS names Property Finder, Virgin Mobile UAE, The ENTERTAINER and Careem as organisations using its cloud and generative AI offerings. It says their work is directed at operational performance and customer experience.
AWS and e& enterprise launch Sovereign Launchpad
AWS and e& enterprise have launched the AWS UAE Sovereign Launchpad for government and enterprise customers seeking data controls and compliance capabilities. AWS also describes a $1 billion investment with e& to provide sovereign cloud and AI capabilities.
Alongside the infrastructure and e& initiatives, AWS says it is investing in local training. Its AI Nation – Afaaq Program aims to give 30,000 people across the UAE free access to AWS training.
