Talent gap is a concern in the UAE amid rising need for tech-focused roles, studies say

Speaking of jobs, a host of new AI-focused studies out of Dubai AI week show a worrying trend of increased need for AI skills, and not enough supply to match. A Jobs of the Future Report 2025 (pdf) from the Dubai government found that career preferences are diverging from labor market needs — with roles like data science, software engineering, and development seeing strong demand, but students showing a strong preference to creative arts and management. The report surveyed nearly 7.8k students and educators.

Are the kids alright? The report also cites a post-pandemic decline in average student performance deepening concerns around the foundational math, science, and problem-solving skills needed for future roles.

New roles will replace disappearing ones: Although AI is set to replace many roles — at least 25% by 2027, according to the report — higher demand for relatively new roles like AI specialists, fintech engineers, and big data analysts, is set to follow in the digital transformation’s wake. More sustainability-linked jobs are set to come online, the report noted, and emerging tech-focused industries like proptech, trade finance, and genetic engineering, will continue to gain prominence, aligning with D33 targets.

This extends to public sector jobs: One-third of Dubai’s government jobs are at risk of being partially replaced by generative AI, according to a survey study conducted by Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBSRG) in collaboration with the Dubai Government Human Resources Department picked up by Khaleej Times. The study highlights clerical support roles as the most exposed, with AI capable of automating up to 24% of their tasks.

The current stocktake: The UAE currently has around 7k AI specialists — far fewer than peer economies like Germany which boasts 40k — and continues to face shortfalls in research output and venture capital activity, according to an assessment by Boston Consulting Group. The report notes that while the UAE is ranked as an “AI Contender” — leading the region in infrastructure and policy development — it will need to make stronger gains in talent development, research output, and private sector engagement to scale its AI ambitions.

What’s needed? Up to 350 mn people will require upskilling or reskilling within the next five years, the report said.

These pressures are being echoed across the wider GCC: 93% of retail sector experts in the GCC cite a skills gap as a major barrier to AI adoption, Al Khaleej reports, citing a separate white paper released by Al Futtaim and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

Looking ahead: Vocational and technical training programs remain underleveraged, despite being critical to meeting near-term demand, particularly in green transition fields and digitally intensive industries, the Dubai government report said. It also points to rising demand in areas such as bionic skills, emotional intelligence, and machine learning — none of which are currently school curricula priorities.