The UAE has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for artificial intelligence talent, according to PwC’s 2026 AI Jobs Barometer. The report highlights rising demand for AI-skilled professionals across industries and shows how AI is reshaping hiring, wages, productivity and workforce planning.
- Technology and financial services lead AI hiring demand
- AI boosts productivity and job creation
- AI is creating a two-track labour market
- Skills requirements are changing faster than ever
- Entry-level jobs increasingly require senior-level capabilities
- Human skills become more valuable in the AI era
- UAE positioned to benefit from global AI transformation
Based on analysis of more than one billion job advertisements across 27 countries, the study finds that AI adoption is accelerating across the UAE economy. As a result, employers are increasingly seeking workers who can use, manage and develop AI technologies.
Technology and financial services lead AI hiring demand
PwC found that AI hiring intensity is increasing across every major sector in the UAE. The strongest demand comes from technology, media and telecommunications companies. Meanwhile, energy and professional services account for the largest overall share of recruitment activity in the labour market.
Most AI-related vacancies in the UAE fall into “AI user” roles, where employees use AI tools as part of their daily work. However, demand is also growing rapidly for AI developers and specialists who build and maintain AI systems.
The report also shows that financial services offers the highest wage premium for AI skills in the UAE. Employees with AI expertise command significantly higher salaries than peers in similar roles without those capabilities.
AI boosts productivity and job creation
Contrary to concerns that artificial intelligence will eliminate jobs, the report suggests that AI adoption is helping companies expand.
Globally, businesses with the highest exposure to AI have tripled their productivity growth advantage since 2022, when AI adoption accelerated sharply. These organisations are also increasing headcount 52% faster than companies with lower AI exposure.
In addition, highly AI-exposed firms recorded wage growth of 24%, compared with 17% among less AI-intensive businesses.
These findings indicate that companies are using AI to improve efficiency while continuing to invest in talent and workforce expansion.
AI is creating a two-track labour market
One of the report’s most significant findings is the emergence of a two-track labour market.
The first category includes jobs that are being “professionalised” by AI. In these roles, AI automates routine tasks, allowing workers to focus on higher-value and more specialised responsibilities. These occupations account for 22% of advertised positions globally and have experienced wage growth that is 42% higher than average since 2021.
The second category includes jobs that are being “democratised” by AI. In these positions, AI performs increasingly complex work, reducing the level of expertise previously required. These roles now account for 52% of advertised vacancies but are seeing slower wage growth and weaker labour market performance.
For UAE employers, understanding which jobs fall into each category could become an important workforce planning priority.
Skills requirements are changing faster than ever
The report highlights how AI is accelerating the pace of workplace change.
Skills required for the most AI-exposed jobs are evolving twice as fast as those needed for the least-exposed occupations. Compared with last year’s study, this gap has widened by 75%.
In the UAE, highly AI-exposed occupations are experiencing the largest shifts in skills requirements. Employers are also demanding a broader mix of capabilities than before, increasing the number of new skills expected within individual roles.
This trend suggests that continuous learning and workforce reskilling will become increasingly important for employees seeking long-term career growth.
Entry-level jobs increasingly require senior-level capabilities
AI is also transforming expectations for junior employees.
According to PwC, entry-level roles in highly AI-exposed occupations are now seven times more likely than other junior positions to require traditionally senior skills such as leadership, strategic thinking and decision-making.
These “seniorised” entry-level jobs have grown by 35% since 2019. By comparison, other entry-level positions have declined during the same period.
The shift indicates that employers increasingly expect junior staff to work alongside AI systems while contributing higher-value human judgement and problem-solving abilities.
Human skills become more valuable in the AI era
While AI continues to automate technical and repetitive tasks, employers are placing greater emphasis on uniquely human capabilities.
The report finds that the most AI-exposed jobs are adding human-centred skills 2.5 times faster than less-exposed occupations. Creativity, empathy, communication and judgement are becoming increasingly important as organisations seek to combine human strengths with AI-powered efficiency.
As AI adoption expands across the UAE, these skills are expected to play a crucial role in workforce competitiveness.
UAE positioned to benefit from global AI transformation
PwC’s findings reinforce the UAE’s growing position as a regional and global AI hub. Rising demand for AI talent, strong wage premiums and increasing employer investment suggest that the country is well placed to benefit from the next phase of AI-driven economic growth.
At the same time, the report underscores the importance of upskilling and workforce adaptability. Employees who develop both AI literacy and strong human skills are likely to be best positioned for future opportunities in an increasingly AI-enabled economy.
