Artificial intelligence is becoming a regular part of working life in the UAE, but its growing adoption has not eased concerns about job security. A new study by the Oliver Wyman Forum has found that 85% of UAE employees use AI at work, while 67% worry that the technology could eventually replace their jobs.
The findings come from the report titled 300,000 Voices – UAE Edition, which examines changing attitudes towards employment, technology, healthcare, finances, and consumer behavior. The findings highlight a growing gap between employees' willingness to adopt AI and their concerns about its long-term impact on careers.
The study found that 48% of UAE employees use AI daily, while 63% use it at least three times a week. More than half of the respondents also reported tangible benefits, with 56% saying AI had improved their productivity and 54% reporting a better work-life balance.
Interestingly, 42% of UAE employees said they would prefer an AI colleague or manager over a human counterpart. The figure is higher than the global average of 28%, indicating changing attitudes towards AI-assisted workplaces.
However, employers appear to be struggling to communicate their AI strategies. Only 26% of executives and 6% of frontline employees said their organizations had explained a clear AI vision and kept workers informed about its progress.
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The research also identified differences between job satisfaction and workplace fulfillment. While 75% of UAE employees said they were satisfied with their jobs, compared with 66% globally, only 25% reported feeling fulfilled at work.
Career development remains another concern. Around 51% of employees said they wanted leadership training, but only 34% reported that their employers offered such opportunities.
Among Generation Z employees, 60% said career advancement and financial independence were worth prioritizing over work-life balance. Meanwhile, 73% expressed confidence in their company's future.
Dr Mona Hammami, Partner and Head of the UAE at Oliver Wyman, said employers needed to clarify how AI would affect job roles, career progression and the skills employees would require.
The UAE edition draws on 5,285 participants across multiple survey waves, with most findings coming from 2025 research and an additional survey of 503 respondents conducted in April 2026.
The findings suggest that widespread AI adoption alone cannot resolve concerns about employment security. Clear communication, career development, and opportunities to build relevant skills will remain important as workplaces integrate artificial intelligence.