78% of Middle East Employees Believe the Rewards of Generative AI Outweigh the Risks
Middle East, July 5, 2023
In the Middle East, the new wave of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, such as GPT-4 and DALL-E, are transforming businesses at an unprecedented pace. Employees in the region are optimistic about how AI—and generative AI, in particular—will affect their work. However, sentiments vary considerably by seniority and by country, as revealed by new research from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) with a survey that explored the potential impact of AI on the workplace.
The research, titled AI at Work: What People Are Saying, is based on a survey of more than 12,800 employees from the executive suite to the front lines across industries in 18 countries around the world, including 1,126 from the Middle East. This regional focus is particularly relevant given the ambitious national AI visions of Gulf countries, which emphasize the importance of AI in driving economic diversification, enhancing government services, and fostering a skilled workforce. For instance, the UAE is expected to see the largest AI impact of close to 14% of 2030 GDP with Dubai launching a center for AI as it looks to become a hub for $111bn sector.
Sentiments about AI in the workplace vary depending on the geographical location. The Middle East presents a predominantly optimistic outlook on AI’s impact on work. In the survey, 58% of respondents from the region ranked optimism as one of their top two sentiments, while concern accounted for only 25%. This places the Middle East among the top three most optimistic locations in terms of AI’s impact on work, surpassed only by Brazil (71%) and India (60%).
A significant majority of respondents (84%) in the region believe that their job is likely to be transformed by AI. Furthermore, 60% of respondents think that their job is likely to be impacted negatively by AI. Despite these concerns, an overwhelming 78% of respondents are confident that the rewards of GenAI outweigh the risks.
However, this optimism is accompanied by a strong desire for risk management. A substantial 76% of all respondents believe that AI-specific regulations are necessary, underscoring the importance of striking a balance between embracing the potential benefits of AI and ensuring that its risks are properly managed through appropriate regulations.
The Bottom Line for Leaders
Employees are ready to accept AI in the workplace, but only if they are comfortable that their employer is committed to doing the right thing. The report outlines three key recommendations for leaders as they navigate their organization through the AI revolution:
- Ensure that there is space for responsible AI experimentation. Comfort levels with technology play a key role, and the more regularly employees use AI and GenAI, the more they recognize its benefits—as well as its limitations and risks.
- Invest in regular upskilling. Given the pace at which technology is evolving, organizations cannot treat upskilling as a one-off effort. They need to invest in training to help employees prepare for changes in their work and help them succeed in their evolving roles.
- Prioritize building a responsible AI program: Employees want guidance and reassurance that their organizations are approaching AI and GenAI ethically, and leaders want to be able to help frame emerging AI regulations.
“To achieve responsible AI, companies must prioritize transparency and accountability in their AI systems. This means ensuring that their algorithms are free from bias and discrimination, and that they are used in ways that align with ethical principles,” said Elias Baltassis. “It also means providing clear explanations of how AI is being used, and giving employees the tools they need to understand and engage with these systems. In addition, companies must be proactive in addressing any concerns or issues that arise from the use of AI, and be willing to make changes as needed. By prioritizing responsible AI, companies can not only reap the benefits of this powerful technology, but also build trust with their employees and stakeholders, and contribute to a more just and equitable society.”
