#Saudi #UAE #AIadoption - HP’s fourth annual Work Relationship Index 2026 found UAE and Saudi Arabian knowledge workers use AI at work, and use AI agents specifically, at far higher rates than the global average. The study, covering more than 19,000 desk-based workers across 15 countries (plus a separate UAE sample of 300), found that 60 percent of Saudi knowledge workers use ‘AI agents’, against 57 percent in the UAE and 43 percent globally. HP named China and India as other countries setting the pace on agentic AI adoption. Overall, 78 percent of UAE knowledge workers use AI daily or weekly, compared with a global average of 59 percent.
SO WHAT? - The new data is consistent with the overwhelming conclusion from a variety of AI research over the past two years, that workplace AI usage in Saudi Arabia and the UAE is among the very highest globally. According to the research, only China’s knowledge workers exceed the two countries in their usage of AI agents. The countries owe their high AI usage levels in part to national AI strategies that encourage, support and reward AI usage.
KEY POINTS:
HP’s has published its fourth annual Work Relationship Index 2026, surveying more than 19,000 desk-based workers across 15 countries, plus a separate UAE sample of 300 respondents.
78% of UAE knowledge workers use AI at work daily or weekly, compared with 59% globally, according to HP’s 2026 Work Relationship Index.
57% of UAE knowledge workers use AI agents, and 60% of Saudi knowledge workers do, both well ahead of the 43% global average. HP identifies China, Saudi Arabia and India as the countries leading agentic AI adoption.
40% of UAE knowledge workers turn to AI first when they need help with a work task or question, against 31% globally.
Only 25% of UAE knowledge workers describe their AI proficiency as novice or basic, compared with 36% globally, suggesting the region’s workforce is not just using AI more but rating itself as more capable with it.
Among UAE knowledge workers who consider themselves expert AI users, 85% believe they may need to significantly pivot their career in the next few years, against 54% of basic AI users.
51% of UAE AI-agent users worry their job could be replaced by someone with AI expertise, against 41% of those using generative AI alone.
The report found that 72% of UAE AI-agent users say their company’s AI training is keeping pace with how quickly the technology is changing. Of those using generative AI only, the proportion was 58%.
AI-agent use is higher among UAE workers in HP’s “Healthy” work-relationship zone (61%) than those in the “Critical” zone (49%). This suggests a link between comfortable AI use and overall workplace wellbeing.
45% of UAE knowledge workers report a healthy relationship with work, and 40% of Saudi workers do, against a global average of 29%. HP groups Saudi Arabia among the strongest markets in the study alongside Mexico.
60% of UAE knowledge workers say their organisation communicates clearly about how AI may affect roles, while 30% say there has been explicit discussion of AI’s potential impact on headcount.
ZOOM OUT - According to the HP report, workplace health has recovered from a rough 2025, with 29 percent of knowledge workers now reporting a healthy relationship with work, up from 21 percent a year earlier (although 35 percent remain in HP's Critical Zone). Emerging markets lead the pack: India (46%), Mexico and Saudi Arabia (40% each) top the rankings. Meanwhile, the US leads developed markets at just 32 percent, with Japan trailing at 13 percent. HP links the gap directly to AI adoption, since emerging markets consistently use AI more and view its impact more positively. Sixty percent of workers globally say AI has improved their lives, rising to 72 percent among those already in the report’s Healthy Zone.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Source: HP
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Read more about AI adoption in the Middle East:
UAE AI business adoption surges to 72% (Middle East AI News)
UAE ranks 6th in Coursera Global AI Skills Index (Middle East AI News)
UAE firms run AI agents at massive scale (Middle East AI News)
AI is adding to Gulf workloads, survey finds (Middle East AI News)
UAE retains top world AI use ranking (Middle East AI News)