AI is now part of daily work for most people in the UAE. New data from Workday shows 90% of employees use artificial intelligence at least once a week. The company just opened its Dubai office. Workday, a US-based HR and finance tech firm, wants to catch the wave of demand for digital and AI tools across the Emirates. The move fits with the UAE government's digital push, as reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM). It also supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to make the city a global tech hub.
Workday's report, "Beyond Productivity: Measuring the Real Value of AI in the UAE," breaks down how people use AI. About 58% of UAE employees use AI several times a week. Another 18% use it every day. On average, workers save 3.6 hours a week with AI. But they also spend 3.4 hours fixing or clarifying poor AI results. Human review is still needed. This matches what Reuters analysis found: AI boosts productivity only when people supervise and guide it.
AI use shifts toward skills and wellbeing
UAE companies are changing how they use AI savings. Only 24% say they use AI mainly to cut costs. Instead, 33% use the extra time to handle more work without hiring. Another 32% invest in training, upskilling, and reskilling staff. The same share-32%-put gains into managing workloads and making work more flexible. Staff wellbeing is now a focus. Just 0.2% of those surveyed saw no real time or cost savings from AI.
Managers and CEOs in the UAE are also using AI more often. Over half now use it weekly. This is no longer just a test run. It's daily business. The trend matches what's happening across the region. Recent coverage shows global firms are using Dubai's digital setup to grow. In October 2026, independent coverage found AI use among UAE businesses jumped to 72%, up from 53% in 2025. The survey covered 1,000 business leaders in all seven emirates. Still, only 31% of these firms use AI in a way that truly changes how they work. Most stick to basic automation and chatbots. This is backed by AGBI and the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office's work with AWS-Strand Partners.
Workday's Dubai move and what it means locally
With its Dubai office, Workday is building a bigger team in the region. The company is based in Pleasanton, California. It serves over 11,500 organisations worldwide. More than 65% of Fortune 500 companies use its HR, finance, and IT tools. In Dubai, Workday will work directly with customers, build partnerships, and hire local talent. This fits with the UAE's digital plans and the growing demand for cloud services. Workday's bigger push into the Gulf was confirmed in a late September 2026 SEC filing. The filing showed a reorganisation to match new growth goals. The Gulf is now a bigger part of Workday's global plans.
Angelique de Vries Schipperijn, Workday's EMEA President, called the UAE a key growth market. She pointed to the country's big transformation plans and the need for tech that builds trust and good governance. Zakaria Haltout, Group Vice President for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, said UAE firms are moving from AI pilots to using it every day. But he warned that real value comes only with trust, human oversight, and steady investment in skills. This matches the Central Bank of the UAE's (CBUAE) focus on responsible innovation and workforce growth, as seen in recent policy updates.
Workday's Dubai launch is more than just another office opening. It shows the UAE's digital economy is growing up fast. Companies now want real value from AI, not just quick savings. The numbers show local leaders are betting on workforce skills and business resilience, not just cutting costs. As AI becomes routine in UAE business, the winners will be those who mix automation with human know-how and keep learning. For more on the UAE's AI policy, visit the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office official portal.
