UAE Leads World in Artificial Intelligence Adoption at 70.1% in 2026
Microsoft’s AI Diffusion Report places UAE first with 70.1% usage among working‑age people, with the global average at 17.8%.
The UAE ranked first globally for artificial intelligence adoption in 2026, with usage among the working-age population reaching 70.1% in the first quarter, according to the AI Diffusion Report published by the Microsoft AI Economy Institute.
The findings show a steady rise in adoption, increasing from 59.4% to 64% before reaching the latest figure. The UAE is the first economy to surpass the 70% threshold.
The report indicates that AI is becoming embedded across work and learning environments, supported by systems designed to improve operational resilience and enable long-term growth.
The UAE’s adoption rate significantly exceeds the global average of 17.8%, with many countries remaining below 10%, highlighting a widening gap in AI uptake.
At a global level, the report identifies a growing divide between higher-income and lower-income regions, with adoption in more developed economies expanding at more than twice the pace. Barriers to wider adoption include gaps in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and access to AI tools in local languages.
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