A new report on AI adoption from Microsoft has revealed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is continuing to strengthen its global position in embracing artificial intelligence technologies. The UAE has now topped countries worldwide with an impressive 70.1% adoption rate among its working-age population during the first quarter of 2026. The report further explained that the AI adoption rate in the UAE has steadily climbed from 59.4% to 64%, and then to 70.1% in the latest data. This makes the UAE the first global economy to surpass the 70% mark, at a time when many other regions around the world are still below 10%. The report also highlighted that AI use has become more deeply integrated into how people work and learn across the country. This integration is strongly supported by a robust digital infrastructure designed to boost flexibility, ensure continuous operations, and foster responsible growth. This achievement truly showcases the UAE's standing among the world's most advanced economies. It also confirms that the country's adoption rate continues to significantly outperform the global average of 17.8%. This success clearly reflects the ongoing national focus on developing digital capabilities and strengthening the innovation ecosystem. Amr Kamel, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, commented that the UAE's global leadership in AI adoption is the result of years of sustained effort from the government, businesses, and individuals, all working to build the right foundations. Looking at the global picture, Microsoft's Q1 2026 report showed a widening gap between the Global North and Global South. AI adoption in higher-income economies grew at more than double the pace compared to other regions. The report also pointed out that challenges like digital connectivity, digital infrastructure, and AI capabilities in local languages are major hurdles preventing the fair spread of these technologies. It emphasized that thoughtful, long-term investment is the most effective solution to these issues.
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