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Will UAE, Saudi professionals take salary cuts for AI upskilling?

Oliver Wyman study finds UAE, Saudi employees more 'pragmatic' on AI at work

Last updated: July 23, 2025 | 11:32

Manoj Nair, Business Editor

2 MIN READ

Skilled professionals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia seem to be much more pragmatic on adopting AI in workplaces.

AFP

Dubai: Will you go for a lower salary if it means learning more about AI on the job?

Apparently, that's what many professionals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are opting for, according to new findings from Oliver Wyman, a management consultancy.

"A significant portion of respondents in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are willing to take a job at a lower salary to guarantee strong AI upskilling and enhance their future workforce readiness," the report finds.

Also Read: Future jobs in Dubai: 27 careers that will survive or disappear as AI reshapes work

"Two in three respondents in the UAE (67%) and Saudi Arabia (70%) say they would accept lower pay to secure AI training, compared with just 41% worldwide.

The Oliver Wyman Forum study surveyed more than 16,000 professionals in 18 countries.

"Employees in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are effectively co-investing in their own future," said Jad Haddad, Global Head of Quotient – AI by Oliver Wyman.

"Their willingness to trade immediate earnings for AI skills shows strategic foresight, not sacrifice. Companies that match this enthusiasm with robust training and trustworthy internal tools can convert it into productivity and growth."

What's important for UAE, Saudi professionals

More people in the region are currently using AI at work: only 7% and 6% in the UAE and Saudi respectively said they never use AI at work – versus 23% globally.
Only 7% of UAE and 5% of Saudi professionals would resist working with AI as a coworker they collaborate with, compared to 21% globally.
Workers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are open to greater acceptance of AI's involvement in their job roles - and heightened awareness of its potential impact on job security.

Only 6% of workers in the UAE and 5% in Saudi Arabia believe AI will have no effect on their job security, significantly lower than the 17% global average.

Pragmatic about AI

Despite their enthusiasm to adopt AI, professionals in UAE and Saudi Arabia 'maintain pragmatic perspectives'. 35% of UAE respondents and 36% of Saudi respondents 'support limits on automation in sensitive sectors such as healthcare and education', compared with 26% worldwide.

And 61% in the UAE and 62% in Saudi Arabia would endorse full automation if paired with a universal basic income, versus 40% globally.

Manoj NairBusiness Editor

Manoj Nair, the Gulf News Business Editor, is an expert on property and gold in the UAE and wider region, and these days he is also keeping an eye on stocks as well. Manoj cares a lot for luxury brands and what make them tick, as well as keep close watch on whatever changes the retail industry goes through, whether on the grand scale or incremental. He’s been with Gulf News for 30 years, having started as a Business Reporter. When not into financial journalism, Manoj prefers to see as much of 1950s-1980s Bollywood movies. He reckons the combo is as exciting as it gets, though many will vehemently disagree.