AI adoption is accelerating, and UAE tech leaders are turning to cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and continuous learning as the cornerstones of future-ready enterprises.
Technology executives in the United Arab Emirates are making bold strides toward digital maturity, underpinned by strategic investments in cloud and cybersecurity capabilities. The Coursera From Cloud to AI 2025 survey, conducted in partnership with AWS, highlights how UAE companies are aligning skill development with transformation goals to unlock the full potential of AI. Kais Zribi, Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said: “While automation is vital to transforming teams, workflows, and business operations, the UAE data reveal that strategic investments in human capital through upskilling and reskilling will be crucial to driving innovation. As organizations look to fully harness the potential of cloud and AI, investing equally in technology and people will be foundational to building a future-ready workforce.
“This report delivers a clear mandate for technology leaders: investing in skills development must be a cornerstone of every transformation strategy.”
According to the report, which surveyed over 750 senior technology leaders across six global markets, UAE-based organisations allocate an average of 12.4% of team budgets to skills development, placing them among the top global investors in upskilling. The average annual revenue of participating UAE companies stood at $21.6 billion, signalling strong institutional capacity to lead technological change.
Keeping pace with innovation has emerged as the top driver for workforce development, cited by 61% of UAE technology leaders, followed closely by the need to stay ahead of security threats (60%). This dual focus reflects a region-wide awareness that technological advancement and resilience must go hand in hand.
While cloud transformation and generative AI (GenAI) are both flagged as critical business priorities over the next three years, UAE leaders are deliberately sequencing their efforts. Foundational skills—particularly in cloud architecture, data governance, and cybersecurity—are seen as prerequisites for deploying AI effectively at scale.
Human talent remains central to this vision. The report notes that 88% of technology leaders globally—and in the UAE—believe AI initiatives will fail without robust investments in skills development. Practical learning, real-world simulations, and customised training environments are considered essential to bridging the AI capability gap.
Rather than relying solely on new hires, UAE organisations are investing in their existing workforce. This approach supports institutional continuity while fostering innovation from within. Leaders also acknowledge the importance of aligning training with workplace challenges, ensuring employees can immediately apply new tools and frameworks.
The UAE’s strategic prioritisation of infrastructure, security, and human capital places it in a strong position to lead in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Enterprises that embed continuous learning into their transformation roadmaps are more likely to generate sustainable competitive advantage in an AI-driven future.