Technology

AI-driven software development is rapidly transforming the UAE’s technology sector, with 100% of software development teams in the country either already using or planning to use AI-generated code, according to Salesforce’s new State of IT research.

The global study, which surveyed over 2,000 software development leaders, including 100 IT leaders in the UAE, highlights the growing role of agentic AI in the industry. It found that 86% of software teams in the UAE will integrate AI agents within the next two years, and 70% believe AI agents will become as essential as traditional development tools.

AI’s Growing Role in Software Development

According to the research, UAE software teams anticipate an increasing focus on:

• Collaborating with business stakeholders

• Editing and refining AI-generated code

• Architecting complex systems

This shift aligns with global trends, where more than 90% of developers worldwide are enthusiastic about AI’s impact on their careers, and 96% expect it to enhance their development experience. Additionally, over 80% of developers globally believe AI agents will be as crucial as traditional software tools.

AI Agents Unlocking Efficiency and Productivity

The report highlights that developers are eager for AI agents to take over repetitive tasks such as:
✔ Debugging and error resolution
✔ Generating test cases
✔ Building repetitive code

With 92% of developers globally seeking to measure their productivity based on impact rather than output, AI agents allow them to shift focus to high-impact projects like AI oversight and complex system architecture.

Low-Code/No-Code Tools Driving AI Adoption

The survey underscores the growing role of low-code/no-code tools in democratizing AI development, making it accessible to developers of all skill levels.

✔ 85% of developers globally and 68% in the UAE currently use low-code/no-code AI tools.
✔ 78% of UAE developers believe these tools help scale AI adoption.
✔ 77% of developers worldwide agree that low-code/no-code tools democratize AI development.

Challenges in AI Implementation

Despite widespread enthusiasm for AI integration, the research found that developers and organizations require more infrastructure updates, testing capabilities, and training opportunities to maximize AI’s potential.

Key AI Implementation Challenges:

✔ Infrastructure Needs: 81% of UAE developers say their organization needs updated infrastructure to build and deploy AI agents.
✔ Data Accuracy: 56% of developers feel their current data quality is insufficient for agentic AI.
✔ Testing Capabilities: 46% of UAE developers believe their testing frameworks aren’t fully prepared for AI deployment.
✔ AI Knowledge and Skills: 74% of UAE developers believe AI skills will soon be a baseline requirement for their profession, yet over half feel unprepared for the agentic AI era.

Salesforce Perspective on AI’s Future

Commenting on the findings, Mohammed Alkhotani, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Salesforce Middle East, said:

“This survey indicates a strong enthusiasm for AI among UAE developers. However, the results also reveal that organizations must retool for the agentic AI era. Salesforce is committed to equipping partners and customers with the tools needed to deploy and manage AI effectively, aligning with ambitious government goals such as the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031.”

Meanwhile, Alice Steinglass, EVP & GM, Platform, Integration and Automation at Salesforce, emphasized AI’s growing influence:

“AI agents are revolutionizing software development, making it faster, more efficient, and enjoyable. By automating tedious tasks like data cleaning and basic testing, AI enables developers to focus on architecture, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making.”

AI’s Impact on the Future of Software Development

With AI adoption accelerating across industries, the UAE software development sector is poised for significant transformation. Organizations that embrace AI training, enhance their infrastructure, and implement low-code solutions will be best positioned for success in the evolving digital landscape.

The full report provides deeper insights into AI’s adoption in development, low-code trends, and enterprise transformation strategies.

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