of UAE working-age residents use generative AI, the highest rate in the world (Q2 2026)
Source: Microsoft AI Diffusion Report Q2 2026, via Middle East AI NewsData hub · Updated 7 October 2026
UAE AI statistics 2026
The latest numbers on artificial intelligence in the United Arab Emirates: how many people and businesses use AI, ChatGPT and AI search, investment, jobs and government plans. Every figure links to its source, and we update the page every quarter.
Compiled by Amal Perera, Founder and CEO, Proud Lion Studios · Updated Key statistics
AI in the UAE at a glance
the global average: 73.3% in the UAE against 18.8% worldwide
Source: Microsoft AI Diffusion Report Q2 2026, via Middle East AI Newsof UAE businesses use AI in 2026, up from 53% in 2025
Source: AWS, UAE AI Office and Strand Partners, via Gulf Businessof UAE shoppers have used ChatGPT or a similar AI assistant to shop, against 34% across EMEA
Source: Adyen UAE Retail Report 2025, via Middle East AI Newsof UAE federal government services are set to run on agentic AI within two years
Source: Khaleej Timesinvested by Microsoft in the UAE between 2023 and 2029
Source: Microsoft On the IssuesStargate UAE compute cluster, with the first 200 MW due online in 2026
Source: Gulf NewsUAE job ads asked for AI skills in 2025, up from about 4,600 in 2021
Source: PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, via Gulf NewsGenerative AI use, share of working-age population
Top countries and the global average, Q2 2026
UAE generative AI adoption over time
Share of people aged 15 to 64 using generative AI
59.4%
64.0%
70.1%
73.3%
H1 2025H2 2025Q1 2026Q2 2026
How many people use AI, and how the UAE compares
AI adoption in the UAE
What percentage of people in the UAE use AI?
73.3% of the UAE's working-age population used generative AI in Q2 2026.
Microsoft measures AI diffusion as the share of people aged 15 to 64 who used a generative AI product during the period. The UAE rose from 59.4% in H1 2025 to 64.0% in H2 2025, 70.1% in Q1 2026 and 73.3% in Q2 2026.
Source: Microsoft AI Diffusion Report Q2 2026, via Middle East AI News; Microsoft AI Economy Institute, via The NationalWhere does the UAE rank globally for AI adoption?
The UAE ranks first in the world for generative AI adoption.
In Q2 2026 the UAE (73.3%) led Singapore (64.3%), Ireland (49.9%) and France (49.6%). The global average was 18.8%.
Source: Microsoft AI Diffusion Report Q2 2026, via Middle East AI NewsHow does the UAE compare with Saudi Arabia and Qatar?
UAE 73.3%, Qatar 43.5%, Saudi Arabia 31.4% (Q2 2026).
Qatar holds 10th place globally. Saudi Arabia made the biggest jump in the Middle East, from 30th to 25th.
Source: Microsoft AI Diffusion Report Q2 2026, via Middle East AI NewsDo UAE residents say they use AI?
97% of UAE respondents in a KPMG study said they had recently used AI.
In the same 2025 study, 89% said they had experienced the benefits of AI. Survey figures run higher than Microsoft's usage-based measure because they count any recent use by people who answered the survey.
Source: KPMG and University of Melbourne, via The NationalHow people in the UAE use AI tools to find, compare and buy
ChatGPT, AI assistants and AI search
Is ChatGPT free for everyone in the UAE?
No. The UAE was the first country to enable ChatGPT nationwide, but ChatGPT Plus is not free for residents.
The nationwide access was announced in May 2025 alongside Stargate UAE under OpenAI for Countries. A Gulf News fact check confirmed the announcement covered nationwide access, not free personal Plus subscriptions.
Source: Gulf News fact checkHow common is ChatGPT use in the UAE?
The UAE is among the top 20 countries in the world for ChatGPT use per internet user.
That is the World Bank's finding in its World Development Report 2026. OpenAI does not publish an official count of UAE users.
Source: World Bank World Development Report 2026, via Middle East AI NewsDo UAE consumers use AI assistants to shop?
70% of UAE consumers have used ChatGPT or a similar AI assistant for shopping.
That is more than double the 34% average across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. 62% say they are willing to buy through AI in future, rising to 75% of millennials and 74% of Gen Z.
Source: Adyen UAE Retail Report 2025, via Middle East AI NewsHow many people in the UAE and Saudi Arabia use generative AI tools?
58% of consumers in a UAE and Saudi Arabia survey have used tools such as ChatGPT or Gemini.
55% of those users use them weekly or daily. The sample was 2,000 people aged 18 to 50 across both countries.
Source: Deloitte Middle East, Digital Consumer Trends 2025When did Google AI Overviews and AI Mode launch in the UAE?
AI Overviews launched in the UAE on 20 May 2025. AI Mode began rolling out across MENA on 21 August 2025.
AI Overviews arrived with Arabic support as part of an expansion to more than 200 countries. Early AI Mode queries were two to three times longer than standard searches, a sign that people now ask full questions instead of typing keywords.
Source: Gulf News; Gulf BusinessMarket size and economic impact forecasts
AI and the UAE economy
How much will AI add to the UAE economy by 2030?
AI is forecast to add $96 billion to the UAE economy by 2030, about 13.6% of GDP.
This is PwC's 2018 forecast, still the most widely cited figure. It is the largest relative gain forecast for any Middle East economy.
Source: PwC Middle East (2018 forecast), via Khaleej TimesHow big is the UAE AI market?
The UAE AI market is forecast to reach AED 170 billion ($46.33 billion) by 2030.
That forecast is from Grand View Research. Market size forecasts measure revenue from AI products and services, not the wider effect on GDP.
Source: Grand View Research, via Gulf BusinessHow much will AI add to Dubai's economy?
The Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI aims to add AED 100 billion a year to Dubai's economy.
The blueprint also targets a 50% rise in productivity, supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Source: UAE Government portal, Dubai Universal Blueprint for AICompany adoption, AI firms and startup funding
Businesses and AI in the UAE
How many UAE companies use AI?
72% of UAE businesses use AI in 2026, up from 53% in 2025.
The study was carried out by Strand Partners for AWS with the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office. 85% of businesses using AI say it has sped up their digital change.
Source: AWS, UAE AI Office and Strand Partners, via Gulf BusinessHow many AI companies are there in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi had 673 AI companies in June 2024, up 61% in a year.
A further 150 AI firms launched in the first half of 2025.
Source: Abu Dhabi Chamber data, via Gulf NewsHow much venture funding goes to AI in MENA?
AI took 22% of all MENA venture funding in 2025, and 29% of deals.
AI funding more than tripled year on year, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia accounting for most of it.
Source: MAGNiTT, FY 2025 State of Venture Capital of AI in MENACompute, chips, data centres and the big deals
AI investment and infrastructure
What is Stargate UAE?
Stargate UAE is a 1 GW AI compute cluster in Abu Dhabi, with the first 200 MW due online in 2026.
It sits inside a 5 GW UAE-US AI Campus. Partners include G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco and SoftBank.
Source: Gulf NewsHow much is Microsoft investing in the UAE?
Microsoft is investing $15.2 billion in the UAE from 2023 to 2029.
That includes a $1.5 billion stake in G42 and more than $4.6 billion in AI and cloud data centres. Microsoft also aims to train 1 million people in the UAE in AI skills by the end of 2027.
Source: Microsoft On the IssuesHow many Nvidia AI chips can the UAE buy?
The US authorised G42 to buy the equivalent of up to 35,000 Nvidia Blackwell GB300 chips.
The approval was reported in November 2025.
Source: The NationalHow much is the UAE investing in the US?
The UAE has committed $1.4 trillion to US investment over 10 years.
More than $100 billion was invested in the first year, ahead of schedule, according to the US-UAE Business Council.
Source: US-UAE Business Council, via Khaleej TimesHow big is the UAE data centre market?
The UAE data centre market was worth $1.26 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach $3.3 billion by 2030.
More than 350 MW of capacity is operational, with about 500 MW under development. Estimates of current capacity vary between research firms.
Source: Research and Markets, Mordor Intelligence and CBRE, via Khaleej Times| Investment | Size | Period |
|---|---|---|
| UAE investment commitment in the US | $1.4 trillion | 10 years |
| Microsoft investment in the UAE | $15.2 billion | 2023 to 2029 |
| Abu Dhabi government digital strategy | AED 13 billion | 2025 to 2027 |
| Stargate UAE compute cluster | 1 GW | First 200 MW in 2026 |
| Nvidia GB300 chips authorised for G42 | Up to 35,000 | Approved Nov 2025 |
Hiring demand, pay and education
AI jobs, skills and talent
How many AI jobs are there in the UAE?
UAE job ads asking for AI skills rose from about 4,600 in 2021 to 12,200 in 2025.
The share of all job ads needing AI skills more than tripled, from 1.0% to 3.2%. The UAE moved from 21st to 13th in the world on this measure.
Source: PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, via Gulf NewsDo AI skills pay more in the UAE?
Jobs needing AI skills pay up to 92% more in UAE financial services.
The premium is 50% in technology, media and telecoms.
Source: PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, via Gulf NewsIs the UAE attracting AI talent?
The UAE's AI talent concentration more than doubled between 2019 and 2025.
That is the finding of the Stanford AI Index 2026.
Source: Stanford HAI AI Index 2026, via Gulf NewsIs AI taught in UAE schools?
Yes. AI has been an official subject in UAE public schools from kindergarten to Grade 12 since the 2025-2026 school year.
About 1,000 trained teachers deliver it, and ethics makes up a quarter of the curriculum.
Source: UAE Ministry of Education, via Gulf NewsHow the public sector is adopting AI
AI in UAE and Dubai government
Will UAE government services run on AI?
The UAE plans to run 50% of federal government sectors, services and operations on agentic AI within two years.
The plan was announced in April 2026.
Source: Khaleej TimesHow does Dubai rank as an AI city?
Dubai ranks 2nd of 61 cities in BCG's Intelligent Cities Index, and 1st for AI adoption.
The index was published in August 2026.
Source: BCG Intelligent Cities Index, via Khaleej TimesHow is the Dubai government organised for AI?
22 Dubai government entities have appointed a Chief AI Officer.
The roles were created under the Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI in 2024.
Source: Gulf NewsWhat is Abu Dhabi's AI government plan?
Abu Dhabi is investing AED 13 billion from 2025 to 2027 to become an AI-native government.
The plan covers more than 200 AI solutions and full sovereign cloud adoption, and is expected to add AED 24 billion to GDP and create more than 5,000 jobs by 2027.
Source: CIO.comMethod and sources
How we put this together
Different studies, different questions
Adoption figures range from 58% to 97% because they measure different things. Microsoft counts the share of the working-age population that actually used a generative AI tool. KPMG and Deloitte ask survey respondents. We lead with Microsoft because it is measured the same way in every country and every quarter.
Forecasts are not facts
Market size and GDP figures are forecasts from the named firms. The PwC GDP forecast dates from 2018. We quote each one with its year so you can judge it.
How we source
Every figure links to the page we read it on. Where a primary report is not public, we link to the news coverage that reports it and name the original publisher. We do not round, combine or estimate figures.
Updates
We check this page every quarter and whenever a major new report is published. Spotted a newer figure or an error? Email amal@proudlionstudios.com and we will update it.
Using these numbers? Please cite this page:
Proud Lion Studios, "UAE AI Statistics 2026", updated 7 October 2026, https://proudlionstudios.com/uae-ai-statisticsMore data
More statistics from our data hub
Questions
About this data
Which country has the highest AI adoption in the world?
The UAE. Microsoft's AI Diffusion Report for Q2 2026 puts generative AI use at 73.3% of the UAE's working-age population, ahead of Singapore at 64.3%.
What percentage of UAE businesses use AI?
72% in 2026, up from 53% in 2025, according to research by Strand Partners for AWS and the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office.
Can I use these statistics and charts?
Yes. You are welcome to quote any figure or use the charts on this page. Please cite Proud Lion Studios with a link to this page, and the original source named under each figure.
How often is this page updated?
At least once a quarter, and whenever a major new report on AI in the UAE is published. The date at the top shows the last update.
Build with AI in the UAE
Proud Lion Studios is a Dubai software studio building AI agents, apps and platforms since 2021, and helping businesses get found on Google and in AI answers.
