Today's Edition
Khaled Al Khawaldeh (Abu Dhabi)
According to a recent study by global networking and security company Cisco, 26% of its partners in the UAE anticipate that revenue from AI-driven technologies will account for 100% of their earnings between 2025 and 2030.
The findings highlight the surging demand for AI and its pivotal role in shaping the IT sector. According to technology partners surveyed, over the next four to five years, AI is expected to drive remarkable growth in technology-related investments and revenue streams across the UAE.
The study, titled "Bridging the Customer AI Readiness Gap – The Opportunities Ahead for Partners", found that 43% of IT partners in the UAE foresee a substantial increase, exceeding 75%, in demand for AI-related technology investments in the next half-decade. Key sectors fuelling this demand included infrastructure (26%), cybersecurity (26%), and sustainability management (11%).
"As AI becomes a cornerstone of business transformation in the UAE and the broader region, it is crucial for our partners to possess the necessary skills and tools to lead this shift," stated Osama Al Deeb, Regional Director of the Partner Organisation for the Middle East and Africa at Cisco.
In response to this growing reliance on AI, partners predict a significant shift in their revenue composition. In the short term, 37% of respondents expected AI to contribute 26–50% of their total revenue within the next year; a figure that was expected to increase in coming years.
The comprehensive study, which surveyed over 1,500 IT partners across 29 global markets, evaluated their preparedness for the incoming AI revolution in line with its AI Readiness Index, which highlights gaps in infrastructure, data management, governance, and talent that could hinder widespread AI adoption.
Partners expressed confidence in their understanding of AI technologies and emphasised the importance of addressing key areas including infrastructure, sufficient GPU resources as well as navigating complex data sovereignty and privacy regulations across regions.
However, despite their optimism, partners acknowledged several obstacles. A total of 69% reported a lack of expertise in deploying emerging technologies, 51% believed there was insufficient knowledge of systems and procedures and 46% said there was limited access to relevant technologies.
To address these issues, companies are investing heavily in workforce development. The study found that 74% of partners are conducting internal training or engaging external providers to offer specialised AI programmes.
