UAE Workforce Sees AI As Both Threat And Ally

(MENAFN- The Arabian Post) Arabian Post Staff -Dubai

A quarter of white‐collar professionals in the UAE express concern that artificial intelligence might one day replace their roles, yet more than half acknowledge that AI tools have made their work noticeably easier-presenting a complex picture of apprehension tempered by appreciation.

LinkedIn data shows that 80 per cent of professionals in the UAE now use AI tools“regularly,” a significant increase from 56 per cent in 2024. This puts the UAE second globally in AI adoption behind only India, where the figure stands at 85 per cent. Confidence in experimenting with AI is high, with 81 per cent of local professionals saying they enjoy exploring AI tools, and 73 per cent reporting more frequent and confident usage compared with the previous year. Many describe learning AI as“a second job.”

A survey by The National found that roughly 25 per cent of the 200 respondents worry about AI's future impact on their jobs. Yet more than half affirm that AI has made their current tasks easier, and 7 per cent report that their roles have already been replaced-though they emphasise this is based on a small sample. Roles in media, advertising and marketing appear particularly vulnerable to automation. Nevertheless, David Mackenzie of recruitment firm Mackenzie Jones Middle East maintains that, at present, AI lacks the sophistication to supplant senior professionals in white‐collar roles.

Broader sentiment in the UAE workforce is largely optimistic. A Korn Ferry workforce report indicates that 82 per cent of employees in the UAE feel positive about AI's potential-a stance mirrored in neighbouring Saudi Arabia. Moreover, a survey reveals only 7 per cent of UAE professionals would resist working alongside AI as a colleague, compared with 21 per cent globally. There is, however, cautious pragmatism: 35 per cent support limiting automation in sensitive sectors such as healthcare and education, and 61 per cent would endorse full automation only if accompanied by a universal basic income or welfare compensation, compared with 40 per cent worldwide.

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These mixed perspectives take shape against a backdrop of national ambition and infrastructural investment. The UAE has broadened its Golden Visa programme to attract global talent in AI, climate technology and advanced digital industries-a strategic move to make itself a hub for technological innovation and sustainable growth. The country's AI strategy also includes the establishment of dedicated institutions and leadership structures, such as the Ministry of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, led by Omar Sultan Al Olama, who was appointed in 2020 as the world's first minister for artificial intelligence.

Academic insights reinforce the nuanced impact of AI across sectors. A recent study of creative professionals-including journalists and filmmakers-reveals that while AI enhances operational efficiency and reduces costs, it also raises concerns about authenticity, cultural integrity and skill erosion. The absence of sector‐specific guidelines leaves individuals to navigate AI adoption on their own.

On a global scale, developments are shaping discourse on AI's real effects. A Stanford‐led study has documented a 16 per cent decline in employment among workers aged 22–25 in sectors vulnerable to automation, such as customer service and software development, between late 2022 and mid‐2025. Experienced workers remain comparatively shielded as AI takes over repetitive tasks. The report emphasises the importance of policies that favour human‐AI collaboration rather than outright replacement. Microsoft's AI chief Mustafa Suleyman urges professionals not to fear job loss, but rather stagnation-championing reskilling, collaboration, and a growth mindset.

These threads converge as the UAE continues to pursue its goal of becoming an AI leader by 2031-anchored in education, infrastructure, investment and workforce transformation. Yet the responses of professionals remain varied: a blend of anxiety, adaptability and optimism defines the evolving relationship between AI and work in the UAE.

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