A recent study reveals that 71% of UAE businesses report full commitment from their C-suite to leverage AI for transformation. ServiceNow, in partnership with Oxford Economics, has unveiled its AI Maturity Index Report, highlighting that most enterprises in the UAE are strongly dedicated to enterprise-wide AI deployments, supported by top management and a clear vision for business transformation.
Eighty-one percent of organizations operate with a clear, shared vision of AI's role in the enterprise. Additionally, 60% have appointed an AI leader with a formal title like 'Chief AI Officer' to oversee the AI strategy. Correspondingly, 77% of respondents have seen an increase in AI budgets year-on-year.
The study also delves into how UAE organizations measure AI success, with 23% favoring productivity increases as the key metric for AI ROI. Data-related areas are the most popular AI use cases, with 53% using AI for data management, and 44% for performance management. Forty-three percent focus on resource utilization and sales-related tasks.
UAE businesses are already reaping tangible benefits from AI investments, with 65% reporting increased efficiency or productivity, and 24% seeing ROI greater than 15%. 'AI is making a significant impact since the advent of GenAI,' said William O'Neill, Area VP for UAE at ServiceNow. 'The true power of AI lies in the strategic selection of use cases, enabling transformation across various enterprise functions.'
Interestingly, despite tangible ROI, most organizations are still in the early stages of AI maturity. Only 15% are innovating with AI, while 44% are experimenting and 31% are operationalizing. Given the high levels of C-suite commitment, budget increases, and clear visions, many UAE companies are expected to rapidly advance along the AI maturity curve.
Other indicators of future maturity include 76% of respondents having the right skill mix, 65% fostering a culture of autonomous problem-solving, 55% hosting AI learning events, and 45% offering training programs. 'The UAE has always been a pioneer in technology adoption, and AI is no exception,' O'Neill added. 'Business leaders should continue to focus on clear, shared strategies and lead with vision to achieve high AI maturity.'
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