A new global study has found that UAE residents are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) at a faster rate than many other countries, with high levels of trust, daily use, and growing support for regulation.
The findings were published in the Trust in Artificial Intelligence Insights report, produced by the University of Melbourne in partnership with KPMG International. The UAE was one of the key countries profiled in the study.
High usage across sectors
According to the report, 97% of UAE respondents said they use AI for work, study, or personal reasons, compared to a global average of 83%. About 66% noted that their organisation already has a policy in place for using generative AI (GenAI).
More than half (53%) of those surveyed in the UAE believe the benefits of AI outweigh its risks, and 65% said they would be willing to rely on information generated by an AI system.
Strong public support for regulation
While AI adoption remains high, there is also growing concern around its safe use. Around 68% of UAE respondents believe current regulations are adequate to manage AI safely, far above the global average of 43%. However, many called for more safeguards, especially around AI-generated misinformation.
The study found that 73% of respondents were cautious about online content due to the potential influence of AI. In addition, 36% said they were unsure if they could identify AI-generated misinformation.
Trust in public institutions
Despite these concerns, respondents showed strong trust in key institutions such as universities, healthcare providers, and the government when it comes to developing and using AI systems.
Matin Jouzdani, Partner, Data, Analytics and AI at KPMG Lower Gulf, said: “AI is rapidly changing the way we live and work. Our research reinforces an overwhelming acceptance of AI in the UAE, but there is also strong public support for appropriate AI regulation.
“As organizations in the UAE are rapidly deploying AI, it is imperative that they consider the structures necessary to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical oversight. By implementing a strategy that combines AI training and literacy alongside responsible AI governance frameworks, organizations will be able to confidently capture the benefits of AI in a way that doesn’t slow down innovation.”
Call for responsible AI use
The report noted that 84% of UAE residents would trust AI systems more if there were guarantees around their ethical and secure use. In addition, 86% agreed that news and social media platforms have a responsibility to make it clear when content is AI-generated.
Respondents also supported the idea of co-regulation, combining government oversight with international guidelines to ensure AI is developed and used responsibly.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
