Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the UAE job market, with professionals who have AI skills earning significantly higher salaries and finding more opportunities across industries.
According to PwC’s 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, the UAE has become one of the world’s fastest-growing AI talent markets. The country climbed from 21st place in 2021 to 13th in 2025 for AI-related hiring, as businesses continue integrating AI into everyday operations.
The report also found that the share of UAE job postings requiring AI skills more than tripled during the period, increasing from 1% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2025.
AI skills deliver major salary premiums
The report highlights that AI expertise is becoming a valuable career advantage rather than a specialist technical skill.
Professionals with AI capabilities earn substantially more than workers in similar roles without those skills. The largest salary premiums include:
- Financial services: Up to 92% higher salaries
- Technology, Media and Telecom (TMT): Up to 50% higher salaries
PwC noted that these wage premiums reflect strong employer demand and a shortage of skilled AI professionals across the UAE economy.
Employers now seek AI users, not only AI developers
The report shows that demand is shifting from AI developers to professionals who can effectively use AI tools in their daily work.
AI User roles grew 28% over the past year. These positions involve using AI to improve productivity, automate routine work, analyse information faster and support business decisions.
As a result, AI skills are becoming increasingly valuable across finance, marketing, human resources, consulting and other business functions.
AI is changing skills across industries
PwC found that AI-exposed occupations in the UAE are evolving much faster than the global average.
The UAE recorded an average skills transformation score of 7.22, compared with the global average of 4.47. This suggests employees will need to update their skills more frequently as AI becomes part of everyday work.
The report adds that employers increasingly value judgement, creativity and problem-solving alongside technical AI knowledge.
AI hiring expands beyond the technology sector
Technology, Media and Telecom remains the UAE’s most AI-intensive industry. However, AI recruitment is expanding across almost every major sector.
Energy, financial services, professional services, healthcare and consumer industries all increased AI hiring during 2025, reflecting broader adoption of artificial intelligence across the economy.
Professional Services and Energy, Utilities and Resources continue to account for the largest share of overall UAE job postings.
AI boosts productivity instead of replacing workers
PwC said AI is transforming jobs rather than eliminating them.
Globally, organisations with the highest AI exposure recorded 40% higher productivity growth than companies with lower AI adoption. These businesses also reported stronger employment growth and faster wage increases.
The report concludes that companies achieving the greatest benefits are using AI to enhance employee performance instead of replacing workers.
For UAE professionals, AI proficiency is quickly becoming an essential workplace skill across banking, consulting, healthcare, energy, retail and other industries.
