UAE tops global ranking for generative AI adoption — The National

The United Arab Emirates ranked first in the world for the adoption of generative artificial intelligence among the population aged 15 to 64. The use of generative AI products and applications in the UAE reached 70.1% at the beginning of 2026, according to the Microsoft AI Economy Institute, as reported by The National.

AI adoption indicators

Microsoft defines AI adoption as the share of people aged 15 to 64 who used a generative AI-based product or application during the reporting period. In the UAE, this figure rose from 59.4% in the first half of 2025 to 64% in the second half of the year, reaching 70.1% at the beginning of 2026.

Globally, the use of generative AI increased from 16.3% to 17.8% during the first quarter of 2026. Singapore ranked second: since the first half of 2025, its AI adoption rate has increased by 5.7 percentage points.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

AI in the public sector and education

UAE authorities seek to introduce AI in government institutions, workplaces and education. The country has set a goal of delivering half of federal government services through AI agents within two years, as well as training 80,000 federal employees in agentic AI.

In Abu Dhabi, 35,000 government employees have already been given access to Microsoft Copilot. AI is also taught in UAE public schools from kindergarten through Grade 12. The curriculum covers data, algorithms, technology applications, risks and ethics. The government has approved an AI curriculum for public and private schools and plans to train 22,000 teachers and education professionals to use AI in teaching, assessment and lesson planning.