The UAE has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing markets for AI talent, climbing into the global top 15 for AI-related hiring as organisations increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into everyday business operations, according to the PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer.
The report, first published by PwC and reported by Gulf News, shows the country's share of job postings requiring AI skills has more than tripled over the past four years. Employers are also paying sizeable salary premiums for workers with AI capabilities, signalling a shift from experimental adoption to mainstream business use.
AI hiring accelerates across the UAE
The UAE's share of AI-related job advertisements increased from 1.0% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2025, lifting the country from 21st to 13th place globally in AI hiring.
According to PwC, the pace of AI adoption now outstrips many advanced economies as organisations across sectors embed AI into daily operations.
The report also highlights rapid growth in AI-related vacancies. Key figures include:
- AI job postings increased from around 4,600 in 2021 to approximately 12,200 in 2025.
- Around 2,700 additional AI-related vacancies were created between 2024 and 2025 alone.
- The UAE ranked 13th globally for AI hiring in 2025, up from 21st in 2021.
PwC says the figures reflect growing demand for employees who can apply AI tools across a wide range of business functions rather than only build AI systems.
AI skills are delivering higher salaries
The report finds employers are increasingly rewarding AI expertise with higher wages, particularly in knowledge-intensive industries where skilled talent remains scarce.
According to PwC, professionals with AI capabilities receive notable wage premiums compared with workers performing similar roles without AI skills. The largest salary premiums include:
- Financial services: 92%
- Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT): 50%
PwC notes these wage premiums often indicate shortages of qualified AI talent alongside strong employer demand.
Employers seek AI users beyond technology teams
One of the report's central findings is the changing nature of AI recruitment.
Rather than focusing primarily on software engineers or machine learning specialists, employers are increasingly hiring professionals who can use commercially available AI tools to improve productivity, automate routine work and support decision-making.
PwC reports "AI User" roles expanded by 28% over the past year, reflecting broader adoption across corporate functions.
The trend extends beyond technology departments and includes professionals working in:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Consulting
- Business operations
The findings suggest AI proficiency is becoming a practical workplace capability across office-based professions.
Skills requirements are changing faster
PwC also found occupations exposed to AI are evolving more rapidly in the UAE than the global average.
The report assigns the UAE's AI-exposed occupations a skills transformation score of 7.22, compared with a global average of 4.47.
According to PwC, businesses are shifting routine activities towards AI while placing greater emphasis on human capabilities such as judgement, creativity and problem-solving. Employees are therefore expected to refresh their skills more frequently as AI adoption continues to expand.
Adoption spreads across major industries
AI recruitment is no longer concentrated within technology companies.
PwC says every major sector in the UAE increased its share of AI hiring during 2025, with Technology, Media and Telecoms remaining the country's most AI-intensive industry.
Other sectors expanding AI recruitment include:
- Energy
- Professional services
- Financial services
- Healthcare
- Consumer industries
The report also notes Energy, Utilities and Resources accounted for 19.4% of all UAE job postings, while Professional Services represented 16.7%, making them the country's largest employment sectors overall.
AI is changing work, not replacing it
PwC says AI is reshaping how work is performed rather than driving widespread job losses.
Globally, the report found organisations with the highest AI exposure recorded 40% higher productivity growth than companies with the lowest AI exposure. These businesses also experienced stronger workforce growth and faster wage increases.
According to PwC, organisations achieving the strongest productivity improvements typically use AI to enhance employee performance rather than replace workers.
For professionals across the UAE, the report signals a broader shift in employer expectations. AI literacy is becoming an employability skill across industries, with businesses increasingly seeking workers who can integrate AI into everyday workflows as adoption accelerates.