Employees in the UAE and Saudi Arabia rank among the most optimistic in the world about artificial intelligence's impact on their jobs, according to Korn Ferry's Workforce 2026 Global Insights Report. The study surveyed more than 16,000 professionals across 11 global markets, including 500 respondents each from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The report found that 76 per cent of UAE workers and 81 per cent of Saudi workers feel positive about AI, figures well above the global average amid widespread concern elsewhere about job losses from automation.
On productivity, 68 per cent of UAE employees said AI had improved their efficiency, compared with 78 per cent in Saudi Arabia. However, the report also flagged strain: 59 per cent of UAE workers and 64 per cent of Saudi workers said AI had increased their workload, while 53 per cent in the UAE and 56 per cent in Saudi Arabia said they felt stretched beyond their capabilities.
Korn Ferry analysts said the findings suggest Gulf workforces are embracing workplace AI adoption faster than much of the world, even as they navigate the added pressure that comes with it.