Rewriting emails to predicting the future: 10 ways AI is permanently reshaping our lives

Dubai: July 16 marks AI Appreciation Day, and it is clearer than ever: Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially generative AI, has become an integral part of our daily routines. What was once a futuristic concept has become an indispensable part of how we live, work, and interact with the world.

From personalised recommendations to critical business decisions, AI is the quiet engine powering modern life.

"AI has evolved from a futuristic concept to a daily necessity,” said Ezzeldin Hussein, Region Senior Director, Solution Engineering, SentinelOne.

While concerns about privacy, ethics, and human roles persist, experts agree that AI is unavoidable. “It is evident that using AI is unavoidable in today’s world," said Tolga Özdil, Regional Commercial Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa (META) at ASUS.

That said, the real challenge lies in harnessing its power responsibly.

“AI is no longer a futuristic idea. It’s the quiet engine behind most digital experiences and most of us are already using it without even realising it,” observes Hani Nofal, SVP and Regional Head for Technology Solutions for MEA at NTT DATA. Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay.

On AI Appreciation Day, here are ten ways AI has completely changed the way human beings do things:

Specific recommendations

AI analyses individual preferences to offer highly personalised content and product recommendations, "from personalised recommendations on streaming services and e-commerce to the efficiency of GPS navigation," and simplifying “countless tasks,” as Gavin Millard, VP Product, Tenable, points out. "Whether we’re getting help from a chatbot inside an app instead of emailing the support team or using a digital assistant to summarise documents or generate ideas, AI is now a go-to tool for convenience and clarity," says Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, Director of AI research, ManageEngine.

Smarter navigation, transportation

AI powers "real-time GPS and getting personalised recommendations for what to watch, read, or buy," enabling us to navigate traffic and optimise routes, according to Ezzeldin Hussein, Regional Senior Director, Solution Engineering – META, SentinelOne.

In healthcare

"It helps doctors detect diseases earlier," said Hussein. AI is being applied for the early detection of illnesses and disorders, and the analysis of complex medical images.

Cybersecurity

AI plays a crucial role in digital security. "It secures our digital world through intelligent threat detection," says Hussein.

Furthermore, "AI plays a crucial role in analysing vast datasets of threat and activity information, enabling automated distinction between the risky and risk free," and "agentic AI is proving valuable in automating repetitive tasks to reduce the manual effort required to maintain secure infrastructures," according to Gavin Millard, VP Product Tenable.

Customer support

AI platforms like chatbots offer "an alternative to searching Google, planning vacations, coding, solving mathematical equations, and fitting many other roles," simplifying customer interactions and service delivery, said Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, ManageEngine. "It helps businesses to serve customers faster," said Hussein.

Productivity, workflow automation

AI "relieves us from mundane tasks and lets us focus on crucial tasks that require our judgment," said Ramamoorthy. "This means designing systems where AI handles repetitive tasks, freeing humans to focus on complex problem-solving, innovation, and ethical oversight," explained Millard.

Education and learning

"In Education, AI has become a key component of the curriculum, with some countries requiring AI as a mandatory subject in schools," said Özdil. This includes the UAE, which has introduced AI learning even for kindergarten students.  

Financial affairs

"As the CEO of Proven Consult, AI helps me make decisions daily," said Hilel Baroud, CEO of PROVEN Solution. “AI helps me filter out spam and junk emails automatically. It also helps me manage our financial cash flow by analysing our historical financial data to predict cash flow shortages. I also utilise AI in dashboards and reports to manage our delivery projects, enabling us to make informed financial and business decisions. Making informed decisions would be much harder without the help that AI provides."

Device interaction

"AI silently powers the systems we rely on, from unlocking our phones with facial recognition," and “it is there when your phone suggests the best route to avoid traffic, when your photos are auto-tagged by face, or when your email drafts replies before you even start typing. In the UAE, we see how quickly services have evolved, such as renewing your ID, booking an appointment, and even interacting with chatbots that provide actual assistance. AI is no longer a futuristic idea. It’s the quiet engine behind most digital experiences, and most of us are already using it without even realising it,” said Hani Nofal, Regional Head for Technology Solutions at NTT Data MEA.​

Brainstorming

AI serves as a valuable “co-pilot" for brainstorming, generating ideas, and accelerating content creation. "I use AI tools to brainstorm and spark inspiration, but the final decision is always mine," said Baroud.

“The real opportunity lies in using AI to elevate human potential, not to eclipse it," says Rahul Misra, SVP and Managing Director - Middle East and Africa, IFS, adding that AI is "a force multiplier" and “a co-pilot for creativity, not eclipsing it,” said Ramamoorthy, also believes that "it is alongside human intuition and imagination that AI amplifies creativity."