Dubai: The majority of consumers in the UAE prefer to get things done easily with the help of smart devices and technologies that are powered by artificial intelligence (AI), according to a new survey.
In fact, there are more people in the country (76 per cent) than in other markets who are ready to embrace AI in their lives. And what’s more interesting is that a huge proportion of residents prefer AI devices to human interaction.
These are the findings from the annual research done by Accenture (NYSE: ACN) which surveyed 26,000 consumers in 26 countries.
Artificial intelligence is going mainstream and is changing the way people do everyday tasks, from turning on the lights to playing music or browsing the Internet and ordering a home delivery. The technology is popularised by smart innovations like Siri and Alexa, or Google Home and Amazon Echo.
In the study, 8 in 10 (82 per cent) UAE residents cited the availability of AI anytime as a key reason they prefer it to human interaction, and three-fourths (74 per cent) said AI engagements are faster and more polite than human interactions.
According to Accenture, these findings are in line with some of the innovative applications and aspirations for AI in the market.
"In Dubai, for example, AI will provide the intelligence for one of the world’s first flying taxi services powered by a drone by the end of this year. And the UAE AI/Robotics Good Award is fostering creative innovations that will deliver life-changing benefits in healthcare, education and humanitarian aid."
"These experiences are spurring demand in the country for smart devices and new technologies."
And tech companies are cashing in on the demand. Apple has recently unveiled its latest device called the HomePod, a smart speaker that can respond to voice commands to play music, control smart home devices or send messages. The new device, expected to be released before the end of the year, is the American tech giant's answer to Amazon Echo and Google Home.
Accenture's research also found that augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are driving up the demand for gadgets, including virtual reality headsets, smart glasses and smartphones.
"The two reasons UAE respondents gave most often for this demand were an interest in learning new skills and techniques using AR and VR (cited by 36 per cent) and meeting others virtually (34 per cent)," the report noted.
The research polled consumers about their intentions to buy digital voice-enabled assistants. Powered by AI, the products recognize a human’s voice commands such as “turn on the light” and “play music” and answer questions including “what time is it?” and “what is the temperature outside?” While only four percent of all respondents said they own such a device, two-thirds (65 percent) of owners said they use their device on a regular basis, showing strong acceptance of this new technology.
“The fact that more and more UAE consumers are comfortable using voice assistants, gesture control and eye movement on mobile devices and at home is encouraging for the devices and services markets ‒ and is helping make this the year when artificial intelligence goes mainstream,” said Gerardo Canta, who leads Accenture’s communications, media and technology operating group in the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Turkey.
The report also found that UAE respondents are more interested in hyper-personalized services than their global counterparts, with nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of UAE consumers saying that tracking online behavior and shopping history helps provide them with a more personalized experience, compared with only 40 per cent of all respondents globally.
