According to a survey by Hays, 68 percent of technology professionals in the GCC region believe that artificial intelligence (AI) has boosted productivity and efficiency. As AI's role continues to expand, 50 percent of tech professionals in the Gulf region are already utilizing this cutting-edge technology as a communication aid.
The survey, conducted by the global recruitment and HR services provider, revealed that only 24 percent of tech professionals in the GCC have received training or support to integrate AI technologies into their work. This percentage surpasses that of all European countries except The Netherlands, where 27 percent have undergone training.
Oliver Kowalski, regional managing director at Hays Middle East, highlighted that this data underscores a competitive edge for Middle Eastern companies seeking to recruit developers, data and infrastructure professionals, cyber security experts, and other tech specialists. He noted the eagerness of these professionals for AI training and their interest in working on innovative projects with the latest technology iterations.
The UAE has been at the forefront of adopting new-age technologies like AI and blockchain, even becoming the first nation globally to appoint an AI minister. The Hays survey, which included 5,014 tech professionals and 6,178 employers across 20 countries in the EMEA region, indicated that the Middle East's tech sector is more advanced than Europe's, with more Middle Eastern tech professionals employing AI and more organizations offering AI training and support.
The survey found that 56 percent of tech professionals in the Middle East are using AI, a higher percentage than in any European country. However, only 30 percent of all employers in the EMEA region currently advocate for the use of AI.
