UAE Emerges as Leading Global AI Hub in Stanford AI Index 2026

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Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has been recognised as one of the world’s leading hubs for artificial intelligence, according to the AI Index Report 2026 published by Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.

The report highlights the UAE’s strong performance across key global benchmarks, including AI skills, job creation, adoption and talent development. It ranks the country among top nations for institutional support in AI strategy, governance and public awareness.

According to the findings, the UAE demonstrates AI adoption levels that exceed expectations relative to its GDP per capita, placing it alongside global leaders such as Singapore.

More than 80 per cent of employees in the UAE regularly use AI in the workplace, with high levels of trust in the technology. The country is also among the fastest-growing globally in AI engineering skills, with technical expertise expanding at a faster pace than general awareness.

The report noted significant gains in workforce development, with AI talent concentration in the UAE increasing by more than 100 per cent between 2019 and 2025. The country also ranks highly in net talent inflow, with approximately 4.40 AI professionals per 10,000 LinkedIn members relocating to the UAE.

Demand for AI talent is also rising, with AI-related roles accounting for about 2.87 per cent of total job postings in 2025, positioning the UAE among global leaders in AI workforce demand.

The report further underscored the country’s long-term commitment to AI through its National AI Strategy 2031. As part of this initiative, AI education has been made mandatory across all school levels starting from the 2025–2026 academic year, covering key areas such as data, algorithms, innovation and ethics.

At the research level, the report highlighted the contributions of the Technology Innovation Institute, particularly in advancing applied AI through its Falcon models.

The report concluded that the UAE continues to outperform expectations in AI adoption and maintains a strong global presence, reinforcing its position as a key international centre for artificial intelligence.