How Smart Homes Are Taking Over UAE Living: Over 500M Voice Interactions Signal A New Tech Era

The UAE's vision of seamlessly connected, tech‐enhanced homes is quickly becoming a lived reality. New regional usage data shows that Arabic voice assistants are no longer futuristic novelties but have become deeply woven into household routines - helping families manage lights, appliances, entertainment and even spiritual practices through simple spoken requests.

According to newly released 2025 interaction data from Amazon Alexa for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, families across the region generated more than 500 million voice interactions this year. The surge captures a profound behavioural shift in how residents live, relax and organize their homes as voice technology transitions from convenience to cultural fixture.

UAE leads in everyday smart‐home automation

Smart‐home control emerged as the single biggest driver of voice usage, accounting for 175 million commands in 2025. In the UAE, families in particular are leaning into multi‐step“routines,” which automate sequences such as dimming lights, adjusting air conditioning and setting ambient sound - all triggered by a single phrase. While Saudi Arabia has 9 per cent more routine users, UAE households perform more routines per dwelling, underscoring a deeper integration into day‐to‐day living.

Lighting commands alone crossed 30 million voice requests, marking a 25 per cent year‐on‐year increase, solidifying lighting as one of the most popular automated functions in UAE homes.

Dr. Raf Fatani, Regional General Manager for Alexa Mena, said the growing adoption reflects far more than a tech trend. “What moves me most about these findings is seeing how families across the region are weaving voice technology into the fabric of their everyday lives,” he said.“Behind every statistic is a real moment - a parent turning down lights while holding a sleeping child, an elder managing his schedule, or a family creating new traditions through technology that respects their language and culture.”

Entertainment and culture: A regional soundtrack

Voice‐enabled entertainment is the second major pillar of usage, with 106 million interactions in 2025 - including 34 million music tracks played.

UAE musical preferences reveal the country's cultural diversity. After children's content, Hindi music ranks as the second‐most popular genre, followed by funk and pop. This contrasts with Saudi Arabia, where Khaleeji music leads adult requests after children's content, followed by Iraqi music and funk.

The region's growing appetite for relaxation‐focused audio is also clear. Rain sounds were triggered over 500,000 times, with white noise close behind, highlighting how users are shaping personalised ambience for sleep, focus, or comfort.

Family‐centric living and language preservation

Children remain at the heart of many interactions. Nursery rhymes and kids' songs are the most requested audio category across both markets, reflecting the technology's role in early childhood engagement.

Survey data also points to broader social benefits.

50 per cent of respondents said Arabic voice assistants help younger family members maintain or improve their Arabic language skills.

Another 48 per cent said the technology encourages older family members to engage more confidently with digital tools - a meaningful shift in multigenerational households.

A growing spiritual companion

Beyond home management and entertainment, voice assistants are increasingly being used for spiritual routines. In 2025, families across the UAE and Saudi Arabia requested morning and evening Athkar more than 400,000 times, with Surat Al‐Baqarah, Al‐Kahf and Al‐Mulk ranking among the most frequently accessed surahs from the Holy Quran.

The path ahead

Together, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are shaping what the next generation of Arab smart homes will look like: intuitive, culturally aware, family‐centred and fully embedded in daily life. With voice‐enabled interactions already surpassing half a billion this year, the shift is unmistakable - the smart home is no longer an aspiration. It is becoming the new normal across the Gulf.

MENAFN24122025000049011007ID1110520854