The UAE’s rapid move toward embedding artificial intelligence across its economy is setting a new global benchmark for digital transformation. As the country strengthens its position as a hub for advanced technologies, enterprises across government, telecom, and finance are shifting from isolated AI use cases to fully AI‑native architectures, an expert said.
Atul Soneja, Chief Operating Officer of Tech Mahindra, said the UAE’s maturity in embracing new technologies makes this transition both natural and inevitable. “UAE organisations have long led in global technology adoption,” he noted, adding that the nation’s digital infrastructure and progressive policies are enabling enterprises “to scale AI faster than many global peers.”
Government departments, he explained, are already piloting autonomous citizen‑service orchestration, while telecom operators are building self‑optimising networks. Financial institutions are advancing real‑time risk management and adaptive fraud detection systems — early indicators of a regional shift toward intelligent, continuously learning enterprise models.
As AI becomes deeply embedded into workflows, the human role within organisations is poised for transformation. Rather than displacing workers, Soneja believes the technology will elevate human contribution by shifting focus from routine execution to judgment and strategic oversight. “By 2030, humans will no longer simply use AI; we will augment it,” he said. In this new model, employees collaborate with intelligent systems, guiding and refining AI outcomes while ensuring governance and ethical alignment remain intact.
The UAE’s long‑term investments in talent development and future‑ready skills, he added, place the country at an advantage as enterprises redesign workflows around human‑AI co‑creation.
Quantum computing, meanwhile, is emerging as the next frontier — one that could give UAE industries a decisive edge in solving problems that classical computers cannot efficiently handle. Soneja expects the first wave of adoption in sectors with heavy computational demands, including government, financial services, telecom, energy, and advanced manufacturing.
“Think of it this way,” he explained, “while AI acts as the brain, quantum computing will be the specialised engine providing the raw power.” Over the coming years, he expects quantum systems to be “selectively applied to massive problems” such as logistics optimisation, derivatives modelling, and even accelerating AI training. These hybrid quantum‑classical setups, he said, will offer enterprises a “disproportionate advantage” in tackling complex, high‑value challenges.
Yet as AI and quantum systems become embedded in national infrastructure, responsible governance will define the next era of UAE innovation. Soneja emphasised that trust will be central to the country’s digital evolution. “Enterprises that can consistently demonstrate ethical, responsible, and accountable AI practices at scale will earn not only long‑term confidence but also a meaningful and sustainable competitive advantage.”
He believes the UAE is uniquely positioned to lead in this space, supported by progressive regulation, robust infrastructure, and a national vision oriented toward sustainable technological leadership.
