A Baker Tilly UAE research note based on a survey of 35 respondents, supported by market context and leadership commentary.
Executive Summary
The survey results show an unusually strong level of confidence in the UAE’s economic direction. All 35 respondents believe the UAE economy will outperform most major global economies over the next three years, that artificial intelligence will become a major driver of economic growth within five years, and that the UAE remains one of the best global destinations for investment and business expansion.
However, this confidence is balanced by a clear readiness gap: only 40% of respondents believe businesses in the UAE are prepared for the economic and technological changes ahead, while 60% believe it requires efforts and alignment amongst various stakeholders.
The central finding is therefore clear: confidence in the UAE is exceptionally high, but confidence in business preparedness is materially lower. This creates both a strategic opportunity and a leadership challenge. Businesses that move early on digital transformation, technology adoption, governance, talent development, risk management, and operating model transformation will be better positioned to benefit from the UAE’s next phase of growth.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted with 35 individuals and focused on four questions covering the UAE economic outlook, artificial intelligence, investment attractiveness, and business readiness.
The sample size is limited and should therefore be interpreted as directional sentiment rather than a statistically representative market-wide study. Nevertheless, the consistency of responses provides a useful indication of how business professionals perceive the UAE’s medium-term opportunity and readiness agenda.
Survey Results at a Glance
| Question | Yes | No | Key Message |
| Will the UAE economy outperform most major global economies over the next three years? | 100% | 0% | Strong confidence in national economic momentum. |
| Will AI become a major driver of economic growth in the UAE within five years? | 97% | 3% | AI is viewed as a core growth engine, not a side trend. |
| Does the UAE remain one of the best global destinations for investment and business expansion? | 97% | 3% | The UAE’s investment proposition remains compelling. |
| Are UAE businesses prepared for economic and technological changes ahead? | 40% | 60% | Business readiness is the main gap. |
Survey results show full confidence in the UAE’s economic outlook and investment appeal, alongside a clear business readiness gap.
Qualitative Commentary
The survey sentiment aligns with the broader leadership message.
Saad Maniar, CEO of Baker Tilly, stated that the UAE offers a compelling platform for growth, but businesses must earn their place in that growth through discipline, technology adoption, quality, governance, business management, and future readiness. The results suggest that the opportunity is not in question; the question is whether organisations are moving fast enough to capture it responsibly.
Three qualitative themes emerge. First, the UAE continues to be seen as a resilient and attractive economic hub. Second, artificial intelligence is no longer viewed as experimental; it is expected to shape productivity, service delivery, decision-making, and new business models. Third, business leaders recognise a preparedness gap, particularly around digital transformation, workforce skills, data governance, cyber resilience, regulatory compliance, and the ability to convert innovation into measurable value.
A useful way to frame the finding is: the UAE has created the platform; businesses must now build the capability. This means moving beyond optimism and into execution. The next stage of competitiveness will be determined by how quickly companies modernise their systems, reskill their people, strengthen governance, and use technology to improve quality, productivity, and client experience.
Market Context
The survey findings are supported by external market signals. The World Bank has forecast UAE economic growth of 5.0% in 2026 and 5.1% in 2027, reflecting the country’s resilience and continued momentum. The IMF’s UAE country profile also points to continued real GDP growth and contained inflation, reinforcing the view that the UAE remains comparatively well positioned in a complex global environment.
The UAE’s national direction is also consistent with the survey’s AI findings. The UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 aims to position the country as a world leader in AI by investing in people, industries, data infrastructure, governance, and priority sectors. This strengthens the argument that AI will not merely support growth; it will increasingly become part of the country’s economic architecture.
Professional practices, including Baker Tilly UAE’s market positioning, are also relevant. The firm describes its services across Assurance, Consulting, Risk Advisory, Tax, and Digital, with a focus on helping businesses navigate complexity, manage risk, and create long-term value. This is directly aligned with the business readiness gap identified in the survey: companies require advisory support that connects economic opportunity with practical transformation.
Key Findings
1. Confidence in the UAE economy is absolute among respondents
All respondents believe the UAE will outperform most major global economies over the next three years. This reflects confidence in the country’s diversification agenda, infrastructure, investment climate, regulatory progress, and ability to attract capital, talent, and enterprise.
2. AI is expected to become a major economic growth driver
With 100% agreement, respondents clearly see AI as central to the next phase of growth. The implication for businesses is significant: AI should be treated as a board-level strategic issue, not merely an IT initiative. It will influence competitiveness, operating efficiency, risk management, customer experience, and workforce planning.
3. The UAE remains a leading destination for investment and expansion
The result confirms continued confidence in the UAE’s role as a global business platform. Investors and businesses continue to value the country’s connectivity, policy stability, pro-business environment, access to regional markets, and ability to support both domestic and cross-border growth through strategic investment, business management, and regulatory certainty.
4. Business readiness is the critical weakness
The most important finding is that 60% of respondents do not believe businesses in the UAE are prepared for the economic and technological changes ahead. This does not undermine confidence in the UAE; rather, it highlights a capability gap within organisations, particularly in governance, risk management, corporate tax readiness, and digital capabilities. The market opportunity is strong, but preparedness will determine who benefits from it.
Implications for Businesses
Businesses should interpret the results as a call to action. The UAE’s macroeconomic fundamentals and policy direction create a favourable environment, but companies must upgrade their internal capabilities to keep pace. This includes building digital transformation capability, investing in AI literacy, strengthening cyber and data governance, improving financial and operational discipline for Corporate Tax UAE requirements, and developing people who can work confidently with new technologies.
Boards and management teams should ask whether their organisations have a clear AI strategy, whether key processes are ready for automation, and whether risk management, governance, compliance frameworks, and talent development plans are keeping pace with innovation and evolving Corporate Tax UAE obligations. The companies that answer these questions early will be better placed to protect value and capture growth.
Recommended Actions
- Develop a board-level AI, digital transformation, and Business Management roadmap: Define priority use cases, governance, investment needs, and measurable outcomes.
- Assess organisational readiness: Review systems, skills, data quality, cyber resilience, internal controls, and change management capacity.
- Invest in people and leadership capability: Train teams to use technology responsibly and productively while developing future leaders who can manage change.
- Strengthen governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance: Ensure innovation is supported by clear policies, ethical safeguards, data protection, and accountability.
- Move from experimentation to execution: Pilot practical solutions, measure benefits, and scale what works across the organisation.
Conclusion
The survey tells a powerful story. Confidence in the UAE is not the issue. The UAE’s economic direction, investment appeal, and AI ambition are strongly recognised. The real question is whether businesses are ready to match the pace of national transformation.
The next competitive advantage will belong to organisations that combine ambition with execution. In a market where opportunity is clear, preparedness becomes the differentiator. The businesses that invest now in technology, governance, people, and quality will be best positioned to grow with the UAE’s next chapter.
Sources and Reference Basis
- Survey results shared with Baker Tilly UAE: 35 respondents, July 2026.
- World Bank UAE growth outlook reported by Gulf News, January 2026.
- IMF UAE country profile and DataMapper, 2026.
- UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031.