#UAE #workforce - US enterprise software company Workday has launched operations in the UAE, anchored by a new office at Dubai Internet City and expanded local leadership. The launch coincides with new Workday research finding that 90 percent of UAE employees use AI at least weekly, including 18 percent who use it every working day, saving an average of 3.6 hours a week. According to the firm, more than half of directors and C-suite executives use AI weekly.
SO WHAT? - The time-saved by AI always gets attention in media reports, but the more interesting number here is what happens to those savings afterwards. According to Workday’s research, UAE employees spend 3.4 hours a week correcting or rewriting low-quality AI output, nearly cancelling out the 3.6 hours saved. The finding provides clear evidence that AI’s value in the UAE still depends heavily on human review rather than running unsupervised. Of those organisations surveyed, only 24% reported using AI gains primarily for cost reduction, with the rest reinvesting in training, workload management or employee wellbeing. So, perhaps there is a chance of reducing the amount of time spent correcting AI outputs.
KEY POINTS:
New Workday research,“Beyond Productivity: Measuring the Real Value of AI in the UAE” finds that 90% of UAE employees use AI at least weekly, while 58% use AI multiple times a week and 18% use it every working day. More than half of directors and C-suite executives use AI weekly.
Employees report saving an average of 3.6 hours a week through AI use, while they also spend an average of 3.4 hours a week clarifying, correcting or rewriting low-quality AI-generated outputs, underlining the continued need for human oversight.
33% of UAE organisations say that they are using AI-enabled efficiencies to handle greater workloads without increasing headcount, while 32% are redirecting AI savings toward training, upskilling and reskilling.
A further 32% are channelling AI-driven efficiencies into workload management, workplace flexibility and employee wellbeing, while only 24% say savings are primarily used for cost reduction.
Interestingly, just 0.2% of respondents said AI has not generated meaningful time or cost savings for their organisation.
According to Angelique De Vries-Schipperijn, President EMEA at Workday, the UAE is a key market in the company’s growth strategy.
Workday serves more than 11,500 organisations worldwide, including more than 65% of the Fortune 500.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Source: Workday
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