UAE ranks third globally in the growth of AI application usage, finds study

The UAE has secured the third place globally for its annual growth rates in adopting artificial intelligence applications.

Emerging as one of the fast-growing nations in AI adoption, the UAE saw its usage rate climbs significantly from 10 per cent in 2023 to 27 per cent in 2024, and further to an impressive 56 per cent by 2025.

Over the same period, app downloads surged from 1.1 million to 6.3 million, reflecting an extraordinary annual growth rate of 107 per cent.

The UAE's swift ascent stems from years of careful planning. In 2017, it introduced the world's first national AI strategy, embedding artificial intelligence extensively into its public services. Building on this foundation, the updated AI Strategy 2031 seeks to cement the nation's status as a global frontrunner in the field.

In 2025, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, revealed that 97% of government entities were successfully leveraging AI tools, highlighting the UAE's commitment to a comprehensive digital transformation.

A CyberNews study examining the use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications across 64 countries has shown that adoption is advancing more rapidly in digitally emerging economies, including the UAE, compared to several major economies that are falling behind.

The research emphasizes that factors such as early national strategies, digital literacy, and robust infrastructure play a significantly greater role in shaping the global AI landscape than a country's GDP alone.

A study examined download statistics for the 100 leading AI apps in various countries, with data collected from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store through a third-party service provider. Adoption rates were determined by comparing yearly download figures to national population data from Worldometer Info and United Nations sources.

The AI Adoption Index includes 64 countries, accounting for about 70% of global GDP and 55% of the world's population. This analysis offers one of the most detailed overviews of AI adoption worldwide to date.

The study found that the global average adoption rate of artificial intelligence stands at 25%. However, there is a notable disparity between leading and lagging countries, with adoption rates ranging from 66% in Singapore to as low as 7% in Venezuela, Poland, and Nigeria. In a forward-thinking move, the UAE has established an AI legislative intelligence office to monitor the economic effects of relevant legislation.

Smaller, digitally advanced nations are taking the lead globally in AI adoption.

In contrast, major economies are falling behind. The United States, despite hosting some of the world’s most prominent AI companies, ranks 28th with a moderate adoption rate of 41%. Japan, once recognized as a pioneer in technology, sits at 57th with just 17% in AI adoption.

Countries with advanced digital capabilities and more developed infrastructures are embracing artificial intelligence at significantly faster rates compared to larger economies that face slower progress in adapting regulatory or institutional frameworks.

As AI continues to weave deeper into everyday life and the workplace, this growing disparity in adoption could broaden, influencing competitiveness, productivity, and innovation over the long term.