The United Arab Emirates has ranked first globally in artificial intelligence adoption among the working-age population, according to the latest findings from the Microsoft AI Economy Institute.
Microsoft’s AI Diffusion Report for the first quarter of 2026 showed AI adoption in the UAE reached 70.1 percent, making it the first economy worldwide to surpass the 70 percent threshold. The figure significantly exceeds the global average of 17.8 percent.
The report indicated that AI adoption in the UAE has risen steadily over recent periods, increasing from 59.4 percent to 64 percent before reaching the latest milestone.
According to the findings, artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly embedded in how people across the UAE work, learn, and interact with digital systems, supported by strong investments in infrastructure, innovation, and digital transformation.
Amr Kamel said the ranking reflects years of sustained investment by the UAE government, businesses, and individuals in building a strong AI ecosystem.
“It is encouraging to see the UAE ranked globally at the forefront of AI adoption,” he said.
The report highlights the UAE’s growing position among the world’s most digitally advanced economies, as the country continues to accelerate investments in artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, smart government services, and other advanced technologies.
The UAE has increasingly positioned AI as a central pillar of its long-term economic diversification strategy, integrating the technology into sectors including finance, healthcare, education, logistics, energy, manufacturing, and public services.
Industry analysts say the UAE’s rapid adoption rates have been driven by a combination of government-led digital initiatives, strong connectivity infrastructure, business-friendly regulation, and growing public familiarity with AI-powered services.
The report also pointed to widening global disparities in AI adoption.
According to Microsoft, higher-income economies are adopting AI technologies at more than twice the pace of many developing regions, highlighting an expanding divide between the Global North and Global South.
Persistent challenges, including digital connectivity gaps, infrastructure limitations, and insufficient AI tools in local languages, remain major barriers to broader global adoption, the report said.
Microsoft noted that long-term investment in infrastructure, digital skills, and responsible AI deployment remains critical to ensuring more equitable access to the technology globally.
The findings arrive amid intensifying global competition around artificial intelligence leadership, with countries increasingly racing to strengthen AI capabilities, attract talent, and secure strategic technological advantages.
The UAE has continued to position itself as one of the Middle East’s leading AI hubs through national strategies, regulatory frameworks, the development of its startup ecosystem, and partnerships with global technology companies.
Analysts say surpassing the 70 percent adoption threshold reflects not only consumer usage but also the growing integration of AI into workplace productivity, enterprise operations, education systems, and public sector services.
The report further reinforces the UAE’s broader ambition to establish itself as a global center for advanced technology, innovation, and growth in the digital economy.
With inputs from WAM
