According to a joint report by ServiceNow and educational institution Pearson, the country’s digital transformation and expansion of artificial intelligence will drive a 12.1 percent increase in workforce demand, the highest growth rate among the countries studied.
The report states that the UAE’s focus on digital transformation and heavy investment in AI is not a threat to employment, but a major driver of new job creation. Sectors such as manufacturing, education, retail, financial services, healthcare, energy, and urban services are expected to benefit the most.
In the technology sector alone, more than 91,000 new specialists will be needed by 2030. High-demand roles include software development, computer systems analysis, and digital marketing strategy.
Contrary to common concerns about AI replacing jobs, the report emphasizes that the future of work will be based on collaboration between humans and artificial intelligence. According to ServiceNow’s regional director for the GCC, upskilling and reskilling the workforce will be critical to leveraging the next wave of economic growth.
In recent years, the UAE has strengthened its position as a global AI hub by attracting investments from companies such as Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI, as well as developing a large-scale AI campus in Abu Dhabi.
Overall, the report highlights that unlike countries such as Germany and Japan, which face workforce decline, the UAE is entering one of the largest employment growth periods in its history.
