Artificial intelligence empowers human talent: Expert

Much of the global conversation around artificial intelligence (AI) still centres on one fear of job displacement.

Inside the UAE’s hiring ecosystem, however, the reality looks very different. The transformation underway is not about replacing people; it is about redefining how talent is identified, evaluated, and empowered.

This was stated by Nisha Nair, Recruitment Manager at Innovations Group while talking to Gulf Today and further underline the role of AI in job sector across the board.

She mentioned “As we move into 2026, the UAE job market is less about disruption and more about alignment. Automation is reshaping hiring processes, increasing speed, consistency, and objectivity while allowing organisations to focus on what ultimately matters most, human capability. The story is not machines versus people; it is machines enabling people to perform at a higher level,” she added.

According to Nair, this shift reflects a broader recalibration in how employers approach growth. Post-pandemic hiring strategies are no longer a reactive expansion. Organisations are building teams intentionally, prioritising roles that directly influence productivity, resilience, and long-term competitiveness. “Demand remains strong across sectors aligned with national priorities - technology, infrastructure, healthcare, finance, logistics, and energy but expectations of talent have evolved,” said Nair.

Technical expertise is essential, yet employers increasingly value adaptability, commercial awareness, and the ability to perform under constant change.

Hiring decisions now focus as much on growth potential as present capability, reinforcing that agility has become a defining trait of employability.

Within this environment, AI’s most practical role is managing scale.

“A single vacancy can attract hundreds of applications, creating administrative pressure that risks overlooking qualified candidates,’’ noted Nair.

She explained, “AI-driven screening introduces structure, filtering applications based on skills and relevance while ensuring consistent evaluation. This improves fairness and efficiency, but automation operates within clear limits. It accelerates shortlisting without replacing human judgment. Human interpretation remains central, particularly in a multicultural market like the UAE.”

Nair emphasised that communication style, cultural alignment, and leadership potential require context that technology alone cannot provide. Recruiters continue to shape final decisions, balancing digital precision with human insight to ensure hiring remains both efficient and meaningful.