AI News Monitor

A new survey reveals that employees in the region are using artificial intelligence more, seeing greater benefits, and feeling more optimistic about the technology than their counterparts elsewhere, fueled by strong government strategies and a workforce leaning into change.

Across the Middle East, artificial intelligence is not a looming specter on the horizon; it is a present-day colleague. Employees are integrating AI tools into their daily tasks at a remarkable clip, reporting significant boosts in productivity, creativity, and even job security—and doing so with a level of confidence and optimism that surpasses global averages, according to a major new survey.

The findings from PwC’s 2025 Middle East Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey, paint a portrait of a region sprinting ahead in the global AI race. The data suggests a powerful alignment of national ambition, corporate investment, and employee readiness that is turning technological potential into tangible workplace gains.

“This is a workforce that is not just adapting to change, but actively leaning into it,” the report states, based on responses from 1,286 employees across the region.

The numbers are striking. Fully 75% of office workers in the Middle East report using AI in their jobs over the past year, compared to 69% globally. When it comes to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, 32% use them daily, edging out the 28% global average. More than just usage, the perceived impact is profound: 82% of Middle Eastern respondents say AI has improved their productivity, and 84% report greater creativity—both figures notably higher than worldwide peers.

Perhaps most telling is the sentiment around job security, a top concern globally as AI automation advances. In the Middle East, 55% believe AI has had a positive impact on their job security, a view held by only 46% globally. Furthermore, 57% expect AI to increase their job security in the next three years, far above the global average of 43%.

“Employees in the region view emerging technologies as tools that enhance productivity and creativity rather than threats to job security,” the survey concludes.

Analysts point to clear, top-down digital agendas—like the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and Saudi Arabia’s National Strategy for Data & AI—as critical drivers. These policies have provided a roadmap, reducing uncertainty and creating what the report calls “a shared sense of optimism and enthusiasm about AI.”

This confidence is also reflected in employees’ sense of control. Fifty-eight percent of Middle East office workers feel they have significant control over how technology shapes their work, compared to 45% globally. This assurance is highest among senior leaders but is notably lower for entry-level employees, highlighting an area where clarity is still needed.

The rapid adoption comes with its own set of challenges. The highly motivated workforce, while proud and engaged, is also showing signs of strain. Forty-five percent report feeling fatigued at work at least weekly, and 48% feel overwhelmed, a figure significantly higher than the 35% global average. This indicates that the pace of change, while embraced, is intense.

“While today’s workforce remains positive and engaged, it is also operating under sustained intensity,” the report warns, signaling a need for employers to balance ambition with well-being.

The survey also reveals a strategic shift in employee priorities. After years of a turbulent job market, the intention to change employers has dropped sharply, from 44% in 2024 to 29% this year. Job security is now the top priority for 85% of the regional workforce, surpassing global concern. Concurrently, there is a fierce commitment to upskilling, with 69% having learned new skills in the past year.

For business leaders, the message is clear. The region’s momentum is an asset, but it requires careful stewardship. The report advises that sustaining progress hinges on transparent communication about AI’s role, relentless investment in skills development, empowering managers to support teams, and consciously designing work to prevent burnout through flexibility and autonomy.

“The defining challenge for leaders now is to balance rapid technological progress with human care,” writes Randa Bahsoun, the PwC Middle East partner who led the study.

The Middle East’s experience offers a compelling case study: where policy, investment, and culture converge, the adoption of transformative technology can be accelerated, moving from a source of anxiety to a catalyst for confidence and growth. The world is watching to see if this momentum can be sustained.