The findings suggest that the country’s strategic investments in digital infrastructure and policy frameworks are translating into measurable operational and financial gains….reports Asian Lite News
The United Arab Emirates has reinforced its standing as a global frontrunner in artificial intelligence, with new research showing that nearly half of its institutions are now classified as “AI Leaders”.
A study by Boston Consulting Group found that 42 per cent of business institutions in the UAE fall into the top tier of AI maturity, underlining the country’s accelerating adoption of advanced technologies and its growing influence in the global digital economy.
The report, titled “Unlocking Potential: How GCC Organizations Can Convert AI Momentum into Sustainable Value at Scale,” surveyed 200 senior executives and evaluated 41 digital capabilities across seven sectors. It concluded that 37 per cent of UAE institutions have reached the “scaling” stage of digital maturity, marking a clear shift from limited pilot programmes to full-scale implementation.
The UAE achieved an average maturity score of 46 points, leading the GCC region. Only 13 per cent of institutions were categorised as lagging, highlighting the broad-based nature of AI integration across industries. The findings suggest that the country’s strategic investments in digital infrastructure and policy frameworks are translating into measurable operational and financial gains.
Dr Lars Littig, Managing Director and Partner and Middle East Leader of the Tech & Digital Advantage practice at Boston Consulting Group, said the UAE’s progress reflects sustained commitment at both public and private sector levels. He noted that the classification of a significant proportion of UAE institutions as AI Leaders is closely linked to long-term investments and alignment with national strategies, including the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031.
According to the study, organisations in the GCC that are classified as AI Leaders are achieving stronger financial performance than slower adopters. These leading institutions deliver 1.7 times higher total shareholder returns and 1.5 times higher operating profit margins, demonstrating that AI investment is generating tangible value rather than remaining a theoretical ambition.
Regionally, the GCC has nearly closed the gap with global markets. The report found that 39 per cent of organisations across the Gulf are now categorised as AI Leaders, compared with a global average of 40 per cent. The GCC public sector in particular emerged as a standout performer, achieving the highest AI maturity levels globally among markets assessed in the study. This signals a fundamental transformation in how governments in the region are leveraging technology to drive efficiency, innovation and service delivery.
The study also pointed to the region’s forward-looking approach, revealing that 38 per cent of GCC institutions have already begun testing advanced “agentic AI” applications — systems capable of autonomous decision-making and task execution.
