By Staff Reporter
ABU DHABI,– The United Arab Emirates has been recognised as one of the world’s leading centres for artificial intelligence, according to the AI Index Report 2026 released by Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.
The report highlights the UAE’s strong global standing in areas such as institutional support, national strategy, public awareness, and governance of AI. It notes that the country performs impressively across key indicators including skills development, job creation, adoption rates, and talent growth.
The UAE stands out for its high level of AI adoption, exceeding expectations relative to its GDP per capita, alongside countries like Singapore. It continues to rank consistently among top nations in overall AI capability.
According to the findings, more than 80 percent of employees in the UAE regularly use AI tools in their workplaces, reflecting both widespread adoption and a high level of trust in the technology. The country is also among the fastest-growing globally in AI engineering expertise, with technical skills expanding at a rate that surpasses general awareness.
In terms of workforce development, AI talent in the UAE has grown significantly, more than doubling between 2019 and 2025. The nation also ranks highly in attracting international talent, with a strong net inflow of skilled professionals. Demand for AI specialists is equally robust, with AI-related roles accounting for approximately 2.87 percent of all job postings in 2025.
The report further underscores the UAE’s commitment to future readiness through its National AI Strategy 2031. As part of this initiative, AI education has been integrated into school curricula across all levels beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year, covering key areas such as data science, algorithms, innovation, and ethics.
At the research frontier, the report commends the contributions of the Technology Innovation Institute, particularly its work in applied artificial intelligence and the development of Falcon models.
Overall, the report concludes that the UAE continues to exceed expectations in AI adoption and innovation, solidifying its position as a prominent global hub for artificial intelligence.
