UAE companies across are reporting a surge in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) expertise, according to a survey across all industries commissioned by SAP.
With the rapid proliferation of AI applications across business areas, UAE companies are looking to move quickly to leverage the technology’s benefits.
However, the SAP YouGov survey found 43 per cent of IT decision makers identified a lack of skilled employees as a key challenge to implementing AI.
AI jobs in the UAE
In addition, 84 per cent of UAE companies said they are planning to hire specialised AI staff within the next 15 months.
In addition to hiring new talent, UAE companies are boosting training for existing staff. While 57 per cent of companies surveyed had already implemented some form of AI training, a further 35 per cent plan to do so in the next 15 months
SAP UAE Managing Director Marwan Zeineddine said: “Large-scale digital transformation, the rapid evolution of AI, and the need for a highly skilled UAE workforce to sustain a diversified, digital economy are all contributing to a surge in demand for employees with advanced technology skills, particularly AI expertise, and SAP is addressing this challenge head on.
“In addition to our own Emiratisation and skills-development programs, SAP invests significantly in external technology training in the UAE to develop a highly-skilled, sustainable workforce.
“Many initiatives are aimed at young people, for example, we collaborate with UAE universities to deliver the SAP Dual Study Program, which enables students to gain technology experience that complements their academic studies, so they enter industries equipped with essential hands-on knowledge.
“We also help to shape future leaders in the public and private sectors by identifying top Emirati talents to receive high-value technology training through our Young Professionals Program.”
SAP has provided high-value training to multiple cohorts of top Emirati candidates as part of the Young Professionals Program for over a decade.
The program also encourages more women to join technology fields, with more than 80 per cent of recent graduates being Emirati women.
Working with employers in the private and government sectors, SAP designs YPP courses that are increasingly focused on Business AI as the technology company continues to embed AI capabilities across its portfolio of products.
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