The latest World Bank economic analysis for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (Menaap) region reveals that the UAE and Jordan face the highest share of jobs at risk of substitution by artificial intelligence. Conversely, Afghanistan and Pakistan show the lowest level of exposure. Higher-income economies within this group are significantly more vulnerable because a larger portion of their workforce is employed in cognitive occupations that are particularly susceptible to the capabilities of generative AI. Flydubai co-pilot planned ‘suicide attack’ on flight FZ1073, UAE probe reveals. Stay up to date with the latest news.
Across the broader region, the risk of substitution affects no more than 10 per cent of total jobs. While between 13 and 20 per cent of positions hold potential for AI to enhance productivity, the bank cautions that such an outcome is far from guaranteed. Furthermore, the region struggles with innovation, as only 16 per cent of firms introduced a new product or service over the last three years, trailing behind the 29 per cent observed in other emerging markets.
The UAE stands out for its wide occupational integration of AI. Data indicates above-average utilization across nine out of 22 occupation groups, extending beyond software development into sectors including management, media, sales, personal care, and food preparation. This trend is bolstered by the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which focuses on embedding AI into finance, logistics, energy, healthcare, and government services to boost efficiency. Why Nana Patekar was cremated late at night: Son Malhar explains. The UAE also has the broadest occupational footprint of AI use in Menaap. Which targeted hospitality, retail and logistics as well as technology, the report links this to the national AI strategy launched in 2017.
The value of tasks performed or assisted by AI, when compared against GDP, remains highest in the Gulf states. Specifically, the UAE’s ratio is approaching levels seen in countries like the UK and Germany. These findings are derived from a sample of one million conversations from the AI tool Claude; however, the bank notes that these users may represent a more educated demographic, which could lead to an overestimation of the potential productivity gains.
Since the introduction of ChatGPT, the economic value of roles involving highly substitutable skills has declined by 9.8 per cent. Simultaneously, the intake of new workers into these specific skill areas has dropped by 12.1 per cent compared to roles with the least exposure. This shift is particularly impactful for lower-income economies, where reliance on freelance work is significant; for example, Egypt and Pakistan rank among the world’s top five suppliers on major online freelance platforms across over 2,700 distinct skill categories. 12 killed in attack on Riyadh airport, over 300 injured, Saudi authorities say. Barsha 1, Karama: Full list of Dubai areas where shared housing is allowed.
Geopolitical and infrastructure challenges persist, as AI talent remains heavily concentrated in the GCC, leading to a noticeable brain drain from middle-income nations. Furthermore, some economies still lack consistent access to broadband and reliable electricity. Despite these hurdles, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are the only regional countries to rank in the global top 25 for both high-performance computing and AI model development. Infrastructure damage in Riyadh amid Houthi attacks, flight disruptions.
The UAE’s progress is evident in its climb from 32nd place in 2017 to 8th in 2024 within Stanford University’s Global AI Vibrancy Index. Additionally, participation in generative AI courses on Coursera has surged by 344 per cent year-on-year, though a gender gap remains, with women representing only 20 to 25 per cent of enrollments across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.
