UAE workers feel better engagement & productivity with Gen AI

The rapidly evolving workplaces of today demand that employees upskill with emerging technologies to enhance productivity, creativity, and the quality of work. In line with this trend, a survey conducted by Salesforce across various sectors covering over 14,000 full-time employees in more than 14 countries revealed that 79% of workers in the UAE who have used Generative AI experienced improved productivity, and 71% agreed to better engagement in the workplace by embracing Gen AI.

Additional findings from the survey titled 'The Promises and Pitfalls of AI at Work' highlighted the ethical and approved usage of Gen AI tools in the workplace. The survey revealed that:

• 61% of workers in the UAE admitted to using unapproved Gen AI tools, 
• 54% of them admitted the use of banned tools

This is alarming because 15% of UAE workers stated that Gen AI policies in their workplace are loosely defined, while 31% of UAE workers mentioned that Gen AI usage policies do not exist in their organisations, urging employers to provide ethical and safe guidelines for the use of generative AI tools.

The survey emphasised that clear guidelines on the ethical and safe usage of Gen AI tools for work will encourage employees to leverage these technologies and advance their careers without facing potential risks. 

Commenting on the same, Paula Goldman, Chief Ethical and Humane Use Officer at Salesforce said, “To realise AI’s full potential, it’s critical that we invest in the employees using the technology as much as the technology itself. With clear guidelines, employees will be able to understand and address AI’s risks while also harnessing its innovations to supercharge their careers.”

To ensure this, organisations in the UAE should define clear guidelines for the ethical and safe usage of Gen AI in the workplace. Additionally, they should provide approved Gen AI tools necessary for workers to accomplish their tasks. Understanding employees' needs for Gen AI tools through surveys and offering training sessions to promote responsible use will contribute to better engagement and productivity, mitigating potential risks to the business.