A new report from the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV), “Five Trends for 2026,” has identified the key forces set to redefine competitive advantage for businesses in the UAE and globally. The research indicates that far from slowing down progress, ongoing uncertainty is accelerating transformatio, compelling companies to double down on technologies like AI and prepare for the advent of quantum computing.
“The findings point to a fundamental shift in how organizations are approaching growth and competitiveness in 2026,” said Shukri Eid, General Manager, IBM Gulf Levant and Pakistan. “In the UAE, leaders are accelerating decision-making, embedding AI at the core of their operations, and strengthening resilience and sovereignty across their technology environments. At the same time, there is a clear focus on building trust – with employees, customers, and partners – as AI becomes more deeply integrated into everyday business.”
From Disruption to Opportunity
The report highlights a significant shift in executive mindset, where rapid decision-making is seen as crucial for turning disruption into an asset. In the UAE, 63% of executives believe that current economic and geopolitical volatility will create new business prospects for their organizations.
This confidence is underscored by the finding that 95% of UAE leaders say they increasingly need to make fast decisions, with a full 100% believing the highest-stakes decisions they made in 2025 were correct—4% above the global average. However, 93% of these same executives fear losing their competitive edge if they cannot operate in real time.
The Workforce Embraces AI
Contrary to earlier fears of displacement, the research shows that employees are ready to embrace AI, viewing it as a tool to enhance their roles. Globally, at least twice as many employees across all generations would welcome rather than resist the greater use of AI in 2026.
The sentiment is that AI makes jobs less mundane and more strategic, with 81% of employees confident they can keep up with new technologies. A notable 63% would be willing to work with an AI agent, signaling a major shift in human-machine collaboration in the workplace.
Consumer Trust Demands Transparency
While consumers are excited about the potential of AI, their trust is conditional on transparency. A significant 89% of consumers surveyed worldwide want to know when they are interacting with an AI.
This demand for clarity has direct business implications. Four in five consumers would trust a brand less if it intentionally concealed its use of AI. Furthermore, two-thirds would switch brands, and half would even pay more, to avoid hidden AI. This aligns with executive sentiment, as 95% of global leaders believe that consumer trust in their AI will be a defining factor for the success of new products and services.
The Imperative of AI Sovereignty
As AI becomes mission-critical, the ability to control and govern AI systems, data, and infrastructure has become paramount. The report emphasizes that AI resilience and sovereignty are no longer optional.
This is especially true in the UAE, where an overwhelming 98% of executives state that AI sovereignty must be a core part of their 2026 business strategy. This focus is driven by practical concerns, with 63% of local leaders worried about overdependence on external compute resources.
Quantum Computing’s Collaborative Future
Looking ahead to the next technological frontier, the report positions quantum computing as a force that will demand deep ecosystem collaboration. The resources required for quantum are too vast for any single organization to manage alone.
Quantum-ready organizations (QROs) globally are three times more likely to participate in multiple ecosystems than their less-prepared counterparts. In the UAE, the value of collaboration is well understood, with 80% of executives stating that partners help accelerate technology adoption. An equal number (88%) believe these partnerships help limit the impact of disruptions and agree that partner data improves business outcomes, positioning them to lead in the coming quantum era.
About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.
Source: Zawya
