While 85 per cent of employees in the UAE use artificial intelligence (AI) at work, 67 per cent are concerned that the technology could replace jobs, highlighting a widening gap between workplace AI adoption and employee confidence in job security, according to a new study by the Oliver Wyman Forum.
The 300,000 Voices – UAE Edition report found that 48 per cent of employees use AI daily, while 63 per cent use it at least three times a week. Despite concerns about job displacement, more than half of respondents said AI had improved their productivity (56 per cent) and work-life balance (54 per cent).
The findings also point to changing attitudes towards workplace relationships, with 42 per cent of UAE employees saying they would prefer an AI colleague or manager over a human counterpart, compared with 28 per cent globally.
However, organisational communication around AI adoption remains a significant challenge. Only 26 per cent of executives and 6 per cent of frontline employees said their organisations had communicated a clear AI strategy and kept workers informed about its progress.
The gap suggests that while employees are increasingly integrating AI into their daily responsibilities, organisations have yet to provide sufficient clarity on how the technology will reshape roles, workforce requirements and career opportunities.
High job satisfaction, but limited workplace fulfilment
Despite concerns about the future of work, 75 per cent of UAE employees reported being satisfied with their jobs, compared with 66 per cent globally.
However, only 25 per cent said they felt fulfilled at work, indicating a disconnect between job satisfaction and employees' sense of purpose and achievement.
The research also highlighted gaps in leadership development. While 51 per cent of employees said they wanted leadership training, only 34 per cent reported that their employers offered such opportunities.
Among Generation Z employees, 60 per cent said career advancement and financial independence were worth prioritising over work-life balance. Meanwhile, 73 per cent expressed confidence in their company's future.
AI adoption extends beyond the workplace
AI usage among UAE residents is also expanding into healthcare and financial decision-making.
The study found that 80 per cent of respondents had used AI for healthcare-related purposes, compared with 65 per cent globally.
The technology is also influencing investment decisions across income groups, with 64 per cent of lower-income respondents and 65 per cent of higher-income respondents using AI to guide their investments.
Notably, 48 per cent of lower-income UAE respondents said they invested in the stock market, compared with 28 per cent globally.
Entrepreneurial ambitions were also prominent, with 54 per cent of respondents expressing a desire to own a business, nearly double the global figure of 28 per cent.
UAE consumers expect more personalised experiences
Beyond employment and technology adoption, the report identified rising consumer expectations around service quality and personalisation.
Around 65 per cent of UAE consumers said they would switch brands following a single poor experience, while only 35 per cent said they would continue purchasing from a brand over the long term. The latter figure compares with 47 per cent globally.
Personalisation is also becoming an important factor in customer loyalty, with 71 per cent of respondents expecting brands to remember their preferences and previous purchases. Meanwhile, 78 per cent said they had used AI to discover and purchase products.
Dr Mona Hammami, Partner and Head of the UAE at Oliver Wyman, said employers needed to communicate more clearly how AI would affect jobs and the skills employees would need to remain relevant.
"High adoption alone does not resolve concerns about job security," she said.
She also emphasised that businesses must earn customer loyalty through reliable service and consistent experiences.
The UAE edition of the research draws on 5,285 participants across multiple survey waves, with most of the highlighted findings collected in 2025 and an additional survey conducted in April 2026. It forms part of a five-year international research programme involving nearly 300,000 respondents across 20 markets.