Over a third of the UAE’s workers and students are using generative AI technologies, yet their employers and teachers are “not” aware of this growing usage within their organisations, according to global management consultancy, Oliver Wyman.

“At 39%, the UAE’s covert use of generative AI mirrors the global average, while Mexico is the highest at 46%, and Italy the lowest at 34%. By industry, 45% of those in manufacturing in the UAE have used AI without employer awareness, 38% of those in tech, and 33% in financial services,” said the consultancy firm.

The UAE research into AI behaviours was conducted in July 2023 by the Oliver Wyman Forum, the management consultancy’s think tank which is dedicated to building leadership communities to act on shared global challenges.

“The workforce of the future will be hugely, and in many ways positively, impacted by generative AI technology. That’s no longer up for debate,” says Jad Haddad, Head of Digital at management consultancy Oliver Wyman in India, the Middle East, and Africa.

 “However, the rate of adoption, and therefore transformation, will vary widely by industry and company, and that will depend greatly on policies, actions, and general openness. Enabling people who can use AI with purpose will be key to growth in the future,” added Haddad. 

Generative AI is artificial intelligence technology that can produce various types of content for its users, including text, audio, and visual. The most popular in the GCC include: ChatGPT, GPT-4, Bard, and Synthesia.

“All GCC organisations need to be thinking seriously and boldly about early generative AI adoption policies now – it’s not something that we can just ignore. The AI technologies are well and truly out there,” added Haddad.

The risk factors for using such technology is “ignored” by organisations, said the consultancy firm.