According to the IBM Global AI Adoption Index 2023, 42 percent of businesses in the UAE have already incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) in their day-to-day operations.

This indicates the country’s continuous efforts towards technological advancement and digital transformation.

IBM conducted two studies that revealed the growing acceptance of AI in business operations and the retail sector, not only in the UAE but also in the wider Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

The first study, the 2023 Global AI Adoption Index by Morning Consult, provides insights from companies in the UAE. The second study, ‘Revolutionize retail with AI everywhere: Customers won’t wait’, focuses on the retail sector.

These studies demonstrate the transformative effect of AI on reshaping business strategies, enhancing operational efficiency, and revolutionizing the retail landscape to meet evolving consumer expectations.

The IBM Global AI Adoption Index 2023 surveyed over 8,500 IT professionals, including some from the UAE. The study shows a rapid adoption and integration of AI into different business sectors, with 65 percent of IT professionals in the UAE reporting an increase in AI adoption over the past two years.

This has resulted in reshaping the way businesses operate, and increased efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness in the UAE market.

With 42 percent of companies already using Artificial intelligence, the UAE is emerging as a frontrunner in technological advancement in the region.

The study also reveals that 34 percent of companies in the UAE have a comprehensive AI strategy, while an additional 30 percent are in the process of developing one.

The reasons for Artificial intelligence adoption in the UAE include the increasing integration of AI in standard business applications, cost reduction, and automation of essential processes.

In addition to the UAE findings, IBM’s retail and AI research highlights consumer preferences and demands in the MEA region. Despite a preference for physical stores, only three percent of MEA consumers are satisfied with the in-store experience.

However, 75 percent of MEA consumers are supplementing their in-store experiences with mobile applications, indicating a shift towards a digitally integrated shopping experience.

It has immense potential to enhance the shopping journey, with nine out of every ten consumers expressing interest in AI applications for shopping.

Meanwhile, 75 percent of MEA respondents are eager for AI applications, and 67 percent for Artificial intelligence enhancements like virtual assistants.

IBM:

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Kaspersky has announced that it has received a Regional Headquarters License (RHQ) in Saudi Arabia from the Kingdom’s Ministry of Investment.

This license shows Kaspersky’s commitment to improving cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia’s economic sectors and strengthens the company’s presence in the country.

The main objective of the Regional Headquarters is to provide comprehensive support for the operational activities of the Kaspersky group of companies in the MENA region, ensuring sustainable business development in Saudi Arabia and the region.

The focus will be on strategic development, threat research and analysis, and the delivery of region-specific services such as Managed Detection and Response (MDR), powered by the Saudi-based SOC, and ICS CERT.

More on Kaspersky:

Kaspersky operates in 200 countries and territories with 34 offices in over 30 countries. In 2022, Kaspersky opened a new office in Riyadh, adding Saudi Arabia to its ever-expanding worldwide network of offices. In 2023, Kaspersky opened its first Transparency Center in Riyadh to serve the entire Middle East region.

With several ongoing and planned initiatives to ensure future readiness with a digital-first approach, the adoption of technologies like 5G, IoT, and artificial intelligence by the Kingdom will potentially increase cybercriminal interest in targeted attacks and cyber threats.

To support the Kingdom’s efforts to build a strong cybersecurity infrastructure, Kaspersky launched the Cyber Generation training and internship program in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

The educational program is designed to increase cybersecurity awareness, enable skills and knowledge sharing, and defend against evolving cyber threats.

Andrey Efremov, Kaspersky’s Chief Business Development Officer, said, “This is a significant milestone on our roadmap for growth in Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom is rapidly transforming into an economic hub for the region.”

He added “I am very proud that we are part of this transformation, and that our business in the Kingdom is developing successfully. This step will further enhance our ability to better serve customers, partners, and organizations across the region.”

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The capital will help propel Intella’s expansion in Saudi Arabia, where it recently relocated its headquarters. “Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming a hub for technological advances. This move fits perfectly with our plans for expansion,” Nour Taher, CEO and Co-founder of Intella, tells StartupScene. “The kingdom is at the forefront of regional tech advancement.”

Intella put its Arabic speech recognition through rigorous testing, analyzing over 30,000 hours of audio. Results showed a 95.73% accuracy rate outperforming Big Tech rivals, according to Intella. “Our voice technology tailored for Arabic dialects has set new industry benchmarks. And now, we’re moving beyond mere transcription, and focusing on audio analytics—including summarization, sentiment analysis, topic extraction, and call scoring,” Omar Mansour, Co-founder and CTO of Intella, says. “We’re really pushing the boundaries of what AI can do for voice in our region.”

The newly acquired funds will help Intella broaden its geographic reach, bolster products and solidify leadership of Arabic voice innovation.

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