UAE AI Investment Rises 105% Amid Execution Gaps

A study by ServiceNow reveals a stark disconnect between artificial intelligence investment and actual execution among organizations in the United Arab Emirates. While AI spending increased by 105% year-on-year, UAE organizations recorded an AI maturity score of only 48 out of 100. AI is projected to account for nearly 20% of total IT budgets by 2027, yet fragmented technology environments and siloed workflows continue to hinder progress.

Data management remains a primary obstacle, with 77% of executives identifying data accuracy and access as major barriers. This gap is evident in the adoption of agentic AI; although 57% of organizations have implemented the technology, only 7% utilize it for autonomous workflows. Furthermore, only 16% of firms have established the necessary risk management, auditing, and testing processes required for high-level maturity.

Saif Mashat, VP for Middle East and Africa at ServiceNow, noted that the most successful organizations are moving beyond AI pilots toward AI orchestration. While high-maturity firms are seeing an average return on investment of 160%, Mashat emphasized that business outcomes depend on connecting legacy systems, data, and governance into a single control tower.