AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
While the use of AI in media and content creation continues to spark debate, many UAE residents are comfortable with the technology - provided there is transparency, a new survey has revealed.
In a recent YouGov report, the UAE stands out globally as one of the most AI-forward societies, with the country's residents seen as among the most likely to engage with AI-generated influencers, compared to other markets.
More than half of UAE residents accept AI-generated media content, the YouGov survey found. Fifty-five percent are comfortable with generative AI being used for written articles, and similar levels of comfort extend to video (54%) and audio (53%) news formats.
Even more striking is that 33% of respondents trust AI-generated news more than news created by humans, while another 29% trust it equally - bringing the total to 62% who trust AI-generated news as much or
more than traditional news.
What stands out, however, is a call for transparency: A significant 76% of UAE respondents believe it is essential to disclose when generative AI is used in content creation, the survey said.
Many UAE residents (44%) are optimistic or excited about AI's growing role in daily life over the next 10 years. However, they remain cautious, particularly regarding the potential loss of human touch, which the survey identified as a top concern.
Despite high levels of engagement and trust, the data reveals a clear demand for stricter oversight and transparent practices. As generative AI continues to shape the future of journalism, entertainment, and social media in the UAE, balancing innovation with ethical responsibility will be key, the report has shown.