Technology & Innovation

UAE Employees Urged to Embrace AI Skills as Workplace Gap Widens

Employees who delay adopting artificial intelligence (AI) risk falling behind in an increasingly technology-driven workplace, an Emirati AI expert has warned, stressing that AI literacy is becoming an essential career skill rather than an optional advantage.

Abdulaziz Al Shamsi, a PhD researcher in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Manchester and co-founder of Abu Dhabi-based AI company AI Diverge, said a noticeable divide is emerging between employees who effectively use AI tools and those who have yet to integrate them into their daily work.

"When the country moves with this magnitude and speed, knowing the basics of artificial intelligence becomes an essential skill for any employee, regardless of their specialisation," Al Shamsi said. "Just as computer literacy was two decades ago, AI is no longer an additional advantage but a core job requirement."

UAE Accelerates AI Transformation

The comments come as the UAE continues to accelerate its national AI strategy.

In April 2026, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced a national plan to transition 50 per cent of federal government sectors, services and operations to Agentic AI systems within two years.

To support the initiative, the government has also launched a nationwide training programme aimed at equipping 80,000 government employees—from ministers and senior officials to newly recruited staff—with skills to use Agentic AI technologies.

AI Impact Varies Across Industries

Al Shamsi described AI as a cross-functional technology that can benefit nearly every profession, although its immediate impact differs depending on the nature of the work.

He said office-based and knowledge workers in areas such as writing, marketing, customer service, human resources and business analysis are already seeing significant productivity gains through AI-assisted workflows.

In technical and research-based professions, AI has evolved beyond being a support tool and is increasingly becoming an integral part of daily operations.

While field-based and manual occupations currently rely less on AI, he noted that advancements in robotics and automation are expected to expand its role across these sectors in the coming years.

"There is no field completely immune from the impact of this technology, but the speed and depth of the impact differ according to the nature of the work," he said.

AI Designed to Enhance, Not Replace, Employees

Addressing concerns over job displacement, Al Shamsi emphasised that AI is intended to enhance human productivity rather than replace workers.

He identified several practical applications where AI can immediately improve workplace efficiency, including:

Summarising and analysing lengthy reports and documents.
Drafting emails, presentations and initial content.
Automating repetitive administrative tasks.
Analysing large datasets to support decision-making.
Assisting with brainstorming and early-stage project planning.

According to Al Shamsi, AI allows employees to spend less time on routine preparation and more time on tasks requiring human judgement, creativity and professional expertise.

Four Key Risks Employees Should Consider

While encouraging wider AI adoption, Al Shamsi cautioned employees to use the technology responsibly and highlighted four critical considerations:

Data Privacy: Ensure sensitive company or government information is not uploaded to unauthorised AI platforms.
Human Oversight: Verify AI-generated outputs, as the technology can confidently produce inaccurate information.
Organisational Policies: Follow workplace guidelines governing approved AI tools and platforms.
Avoiding Over-Reliance: Continue developing critical thinking and analytical skills rather than depending entirely on AI-generated responses.

Start Small and Build Experience

For professionals hesitant about adopting AI, Al Shamsi advised beginning with simple, practical tasks instead of trying to master every aspect of the technology at once.

He said consistent hands-on experience is more valuable than theoretical learning alone and encouraged employees to understand not only how AI works but also when it should—and should not—be used in a professional setting.

"The learning curve in this field is still relatively flexible for those who start now with seriousness and commitment," he said. "The real difference is not when you started, but whether you actually started and continued learning."