UAE Leads World in AI Adoption at 70%

The UAE has ranked first globally in AI adoption, with 70.1 percent of its working-age population using AI technologies in Q1 2026, according to Microsoft's AI Diffusion Report. It is the first economy to surpass the 70 percent threshold, far exceeding the global average of 17.8 percent. Microsoft UAE's General Manager credited sustained efforts by government, businesses and individuals for the milestone. The report also flagged a growing divide between the Global North and South, citing digital infrastructure gaps and limited AI tools in local languages as key barriers to equitable adoption worldwide.