GCC Business News: The United Arab Emirates has been recognized as a leading global hub in artificial intelligence (AI), according to the AI Index Report 2026 issued by Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.

The AI Index report highlighted that the UAE ranks among the top countries in institutional support for AI strategy, awareness, and governance, noting its strong and consistent performance across global benchmarks in skills, jobs, adoption, and talent development.

It stated that the UAE demonstrates high levels of AI adoption exceeding expectations relative to GDP per capita, alongside Singapore, and is consistently ranked among the top nations globally in AI capabilities and innovation.

More than 80 percent of employees in the UAE regularly use AI in the workplace with high levels of trust, the AI Index report noted. It added that the country is among the fastest-growing globally in AI engineering skills, with growth in technical expertise significantly outpacing general awareness and basic literacy.

In terms of talent and workforce, the AI Index report said AI talent concentration in the UAE increased by more than 100 percent between 2019 and 2025, with the country ranking highly in net talent inflow at approximately 4.40 per 10,000 LinkedIn members, reflecting its strong attractiveness to global professionals.

It also highlighted that AI-related job postings accounted for around 2.87 percent of total job listings in 2025, placing the UAE among global leaders in demand for an AI-skilled workforce and advanced digital roles.

The AI Index underscored the UAE’s commitment to integrating AI into education through the National AI Strategy 2031, noting that AI education has become mandatory across all school levels starting from the 2025–2026 academic year, covering fundamentals such as data, algorithms, innovation, and ethics to prepare future generations.

At the research level, the AI Index report commended the role of Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute as a leading global centre for advanced technology research, particularly in applied AI through its Falcon models, which have gained international recognition.

The report concluded that the UAE continues to outperform expectations in AI adoption and maintains a strong and growing global presence, reinforcing its position as a leading center for artificial intelligence worldwide while setting benchmarks for other nations to follow.