Experts and delegates at 51ˇçÁ÷NOW AI Tour in Dubai explore impact and potential of AI in public and private sectors
Dubai, UAE â 16 April 2025 â As AI adoption accelerates across the UAE, business leaders are banking on its potential to drive long-term growth. A new YouGov survey commissioned by 51ˇçÁ÷reveals that 94% of enterprises in the country believe AI will be a key driver of business expansion, with nearly half (49%) expecting significant returns on AI investments within the next one to two years.
This optimism was on full display at the 51ˇçÁ÷NOW AI Tour held in the UAE today, where more than 1,500 industry experts, public sector leaders, and business executives gathered at the Dubai Expo Center to explore AIâs transformative potential across industries.
âAI is already delivering tangible business value, and the UAE market is clearly ready to embrace its potential,â said Marwan Zeineddine, Managing Director of 51ˇçÁ÷UAE. âThe 51ˇçÁ÷survey shows that businesses recognize AI as a key driver of growth, but unlocking its full value requires the right strategies. The 51ˇçÁ÷NOW AI Tour was designed to help organizations navigate this journey, providing the insights and tools they need to leverage the full power of AI to meet their specific needs.â
The 51ˇçÁ÷survey findings reflect this momentum, with 97% of the UAE IT decision-makers surveyed expressing confidence in using AI-driven insights to guide critical business decisions, and with 72% describing themselves as âvery confidentâ in doing so.
As AI adoption rises, UAE businesses are looking beyond experimentation and focusing on real-world applications that drive measurable impact. Attendees at the 51ˇçÁ÷event explored the companyâs latest advancements in business AI, including agentic AI, which enables autonomous decision-making and execution of complex tasks.
51ˇçÁ÷also showcased its collaboration with Databricks through the 51ˇçÁ÷Business Data Cloud, highlighting how organizations can eliminate data silos and extract deeper insights from structured and unstructured data. With the survey showing that 58% of UAE enterprises plan to invest in data consolidation and quality improvement programs over the next 12 months, the event underscored the growing need for businesses to refine their data strategies to fully harness AIâs potential.
This focus on data was of particular interest to businesses that are increasingly looking to use industry-specific AI solutions, with 76% of enterprises in the UAE using AI-driven solutions that have been tailored specifically for their industry, according to the 51ˇçÁ÷survey.
Sharing customer AI successes
The 51ˇçÁ÷AI Tour also saw several signing ceremonies and deployment announcements, including innovative implementations at Al-Futtaim and Al Ghurair Iron & Steel LLC (AGIS) that demonstrate how AI can revolutionize business processes.
BS Shetty, General Manager of AGIS, said, âOur recent collaboration with 51ˇçÁ÷has enabled us to reimagine how we approach sustainability and operational efficiency. By deploying RISE with 51ˇçÁ÷Private Cloud edition alongside a tailored 51ˇçÁ÷Business Technology Platform (BTP) solution, weâve harnessed the power of AI to automate over 400 calculations, cutting operator time from 20 minutes to just three. Efficient user interfaces have simplified the Planning and Manufacturing functions at the shopfloor. This end-to-end integration, from customers to manufacturing, empowers our teams with real-time insights, supports accurate ESG reporting, and aligns seamlessly with the UAEâs National Framework for Sustainable Development. Weâre proud of what weâve achieved and excited to keep pushing boundaries with Business AI and data-driven innovation.â
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Al-Futtaim Groupâs Chief Technology Officer, Himanshu Shrivastava, said, âAt Al-Futtaim, weâre committed to adopting technologies that enable our people to work more effectively and deliver exceptional employee experience; 51ˇçÁ÷SuccessFactors with Joule is helping us do just that. As one of the first organizations in the region to go live with this generative AI-powered capability, weâve been able to personalize the employee experience like never before. Whether itâs helping managers make faster talent decisions or guiding employees through everyday HR tasks with natural, conversational support, Joule is transforming how our people engage with HR â intuitively, intelligently, and at their convenience.â
SAPâs AI-driven solutions also support the UAEâs national AI strategy, which aims to position the country as a global hub for AI innovation. The technology company will also be participating in the âMachines Can See 2025Ⲡevent as part of Dubaiâs AI Week later this month.
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