A landmark study by IBM has revealed that enterprises across the UAE are setting a new benchmark in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region for leveraging artificial intelligence to drive significant productivity improvements. The report, “The Race for ROI,” which surveyed 3,500 senior executives including 500 from the UAE, highlights the nation’s rapid transition from AI experimentation to tangible execution and measurable returns.
A Clear Productivity Advantage
The findings position the UAE decisively ahead of its regional peers. An impressive 77% of UAE business leaders reported that their organizations have achieved significant operational productivity improvements through AI, a figure that stands well above the EMEA average of 66%. This demonstrates a clear maturity in the local market’s ability to integrate and capitalize on AI technologies effectively.
The Fast Track to Return on Investment
Beyond productivity, UAE businesses are proving adept at translating AI investments into financial returns. The study found that nearly one in five organizations have already realized their ROI goals from AI initiatives.
Furthermore, there is strong confidence in future gains, with an average of 44% of leaders expecting to achieve ROI within the next 12 months across critical business metrics, including time savings (49%), employee satisfaction (47%), increased Net Promoter Score (43%), increased revenue (41%), and cost reduction (40%).
Where AI Delivers the Most Value
The productivity gains are being felt across a wide spectrum of business functions. According to the study, the most impacted areas in the UAE are software development and IT (34%), advertising and marketing (33%), and account management (30%).
Executives identified the top three benefits of this enhanced productivity as greater operational efficiency (55%), augmented workforce capabilities through the automation of repetitive tasks (55%), and enhanced decision-making (56%).
From Experimentation to Execution
The study underscores a pivotal shift in the local ecosystem, moving beyond theoretical applications to practical, value-driven implementation.
Shukri Eid, General Manager for IBM Gulf Levant and Pakistan, commented on the findings: “Across the UAE, we’re seeing clients move from experimentation to execution with AI and what stands out in this study by IBM is how leaders in the UAE are linking AI directly to measurable productivity, faster ROI and workforce transformation. Businesses in the UAE are proving that when AI is embedded responsibly — across people, processes and platforms — it becomes a growth engine.”
Building on a Foundation of Trust
The rapid adoption is being guided by a strong emphasis on responsible AI principles. The report highlights that transparency and interoperability are critical priorities for UAE organizations. A significant 77% of respondents emphasized the importance of transparency in AI systems to ensure ethical operation, while 78% stressed the need for interoperability to seamlessly integrate AI tools into existing IT frameworks.
About IBM
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company that provides a wide range of hardware, software, and services. A leader in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and quantum computing, IBM helps clients in all industries to capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge.
Source: Zawya
