Across the GCC, the real question is no longer whether organisations are using AI, but whether AI is actually doing the work. Most deployments still sit at the surface, assisting employees without changing how execution happens. AI is now moving beyond individual task support into structured workforce roles, where it carries responsibility across workflows, follows business logic, and executes within real enterprise systems. Gartner projects that by 2028, 33% of enterprise software applications will include agentic AI, up from less than 1% in 2024.

In the GCC, organisations are under pressure to scale faster, maintain service continuity, and improve cost discipline without adding unnecessary operational complexity. Digital Dubai recently launched the AI Workforce Transformation Program (AI+) to help train 50,000 government employees for an AI-ready workforce.

Shaffra, an AI research and applications company building autonomous AI teams for enterprises and governments, is already deploying this model across the region. The company highlights five business functions where AI is actively executing work inside organisations.

1. Customer service

One of the first functions to absorb AI as a workforce layer is customer service due to high-volume, time-sensitive, process-intensive requests every day. Autonomous AI Teams can handle routine queries across chat, email, WhatsApp, voice, and ticketing platforms while classifying urgency, routing cases, escalating exceptions, and updating records in real time. They can also pull customer history and identify recurring patterns linked to churn, complaints, or policy friction. Customer service teams have handled up to five times more queries through autonomous execution. This shifts customer service from a reactive support function into a continuously operating system that can absorb demand without linear increases in headcount.

2. Revenue operations

A more meaningful transformation is now happening in the commercial engine. Autonomous AI Teams can continuously monitor pipelines, detect stalled deals, flag procurement delays, identify pricing sensitivity, and improve forecast quality using live activity signals rather than backwards-looking updates. They can also support CRM hygiene, proposal workflows, approval chains, and internal coordination between multiple departments around account progression. PwC’s 2026 findings show that 45% of UAE CEOs are already using AI in demand generation across sales, marketing, and customer service. Leadership gets a clearer view of where revenue is genuinely at risk, where process friction is slowing conversion, and where intervention is needed before exposure turns into loss.

3. Human resources

In HR, recurring administrative work, policy enforcement, documentation, and employee support often follow structured paths that can be executed better when properly designed. Autonomous AI Teams can screen applicants, coordinate interviews, manage onboarding steps, answer routine employee questions, and flag missing approvals or documentation before delays compound. They can also support review cycles, workforce planning, and identify bottlenecks and process gaps early. Recruitment timelines are reduced from weeks to hours, while HR leaders review high-impact decisions.

4. Finance and accounting

In the financial department, AI needs to operate reliably within structured processes without compromising strict governance. Autonomous AI Teams can process invoices, support AP and AR workflows, follow up on missing information, review expenses against policy, and coordinate reconciliation and month-end close activities. They can also surface anomalies, identify unusual transaction patterns, and flag control exceptions for review. AI helps increase throughput while preserving auditability, approval discipline, and visibility across the finance operation. This allows finance teams to increase processing capacity without compromising control, shifting their role to oversight from execution.

5. Business operations

The most strategic application sits in business operations – where delivery, dependencies, handoffs, service levels, and internal performance come together. McKinsey’s finding that 84% of GCC organisations have adopted AI in at least one business function suggests the region is already moving into broader integration. Within operations, Autonomous AI Teams track workflows across systems, detect bottlenecks, monitor KPIs and SLAs, identify resource overload, and trigger interventions before issues become delivery failures. They can also support oversight by summarising status, escalating likely delays, and coordinating cross-functional execution in real time. Across Shaffra deployments in the Gulf, organisations have reported up to 80% reductions in operational costs and more than 2 million manual work hours saved monthly.

Stuttgart and Bamberg, Germany – In the face of geopolitical tensions and trade barriers, the Bosch Group intends to exploit the growth prospects in its global markets with full innovative strength in the 2026 business year. The necessary upfront investments in areas of future importance are set to remain at the high level of previous years. In 2025 alone, Bosch devoted some 12 billion euros to investments in research and development and to capital expenditure. The supplier of technology and services is planning sales growth of 2–5 percent and an EBIT margin from operations of 4–6 percent for 2026. Referring to the presentation of the company’s annual figures, Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH, said: “As a global technology leader, we are committed to shaping the trends of automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence, as this also paves the way for profitable growth in our business. An important prerequisite for this are the cost-cutting effects of the structural measures we have already initiated and innovations in all business areas.” When it comes to innovative strength, Bosch is one of the strongest industrial companies in the world and one of the most prolific patent applicants in Europe. Bosch registered around 6,300 patents in 2025 and was once again the leader in Germany. Despite considerable challenges, Bosch was able to achieve sales revenue of 91.0 billion euros in the 2025 business year, slightly up on the previous year (2024: 90.3 billion euros). After adjusting for exchange-rate effects, this was equivalent to 4.1 percent growth. At 2 percent, the EBIT margin from operations was below the previous year’s figure (2024: 3.5 percent). Necessary structural and personnel adjustments to increase future viability had a considerable negative impact on result in the form of provisions of 2.7 billion euros. 

Strategy 2030: innovation and differentiation to boost growth To achieve successful business development in an adverse global economic environment, the company must keep its costs at a competitive level. With the conclusion of talks with employee representatives on the necessary job cuts at all affected Mobility locations in Germany, Bosch is improving its future competitive position in the face of increasing price pressure. “The negotiations weren’t easy, but both sides demonstrated a marked sense of responsibility,” Hartung said. “We are now implementing the agreed measures as quickly and consistently as necessary, but also in as socially acceptable a manner as possible.” In the automotive industry, China is currently setting the standard for price levels. Hartung therefore sees the expansion of innovation leadership as a key success factor for expanding business, particularly in the automotive market, and implementing the company’s Strategy 2030, which foresees Bosch being one of the three leading suppliers in its key markets. Trade barriers and different user expectations are currently both a challenge and an opportunity for regionally adapted solutions. “In international competition, it’s not just about costs, but above all about differentiating ourselves,” Hartung said, referring to Bosch’s global footprint, which he sees as a competitive advantage. “We can adapt our offerings and supply chains to regional conditions and at the same time deliver global-level quality.”

Business outlook 2026: generate financing for areas of future importance Bosch believes that the weak economic development of 2025 will continue in the current business year. High levels of uncertainty, primarily due to geopolitical developments with the as yet unpredictable effects of the war in the Middle East, are likely to continue to affect inflation and global economic output. Moreover, price and competitive pressure remains high. Nonetheless, in the first three months of the year, Bosch was able to keep its sales more or less at the previous year’s level; after adjusting for exchange-rate effects, revenue was some 5 percent higher. Bosch expects the global economy to achieve only moderate growth, at the level of recent years. “The foundation for profitable growth is our competitiveness – which is why we’re working hard to increase it further,” said Markus Forschner, member of the board of management and chief financial officer of Robert Bosch GmbH. “This strengthens our resilience in the face of upcoming challenges and at the same time boosts our investment capacity for the future.” In light of strategic opportunities and as a financial precaution, Bosch is expanding its scope accordingly: to ensure it will be able to issue financial instruments such as bonds more flexibly during the year, the company will for the first time publish interim consolidated financial statements and an interim group management report for the first half of the current business year. On this point, Forschner said: “This improves our ability to access the capital markets, even though we already have a strong capacity to finance our business from our own resources.”

Sensor technology as an innovation field: automation and robotics secure sales

Bosch is driving forward numerous innovations in microelectronics and sensor technology and expects its consistent focus on technology that is “Invented for life” to provide considerable growth impetus. Experts suggest that the global market for sensors could be worth more than 440 billion U.S. dollars by 2031. Bosch stands to benefit from growth in the potential applications: the company’s sensors are playing an increasingly important role in robotics. The BMI5 sensor platform, for example, creates artificial environments extremely realistically and helps robots find their way around even under difficult conditions. With this, its most powerful sensor solution to date, Bosch considers itself well positioned for a rapidly growing segment. In the field of automated driving, inertial sensors are regarded as a key component of the future and offer additional sales potential. They enable cars to maintain full awareness of their whereabouts even when camera or GPS signals aren’t available. “These sensors work for an automated car in much the same way as the sense of balance does in the human inner ear,” Hartung said. According to analysts, the market for intelligent sensors in automotive applications is set to almost double to more than 80 billion U.S. dollars by the middle of the next decade.

Innovations in the field of mobility: algorithms and powertrains boost growth 

Bosch expects the market for automotive software to be worth around 200 billion euros by 2030. As a result, Bosch chairman Hartung sees great growth opportunities in software-defined mobility. “Bosch is at the forefront in this area and is now literally bringing AI into the driver’s field of vision,” Hartung said. The new Bosch AI Extension Platform is an AI-capable high-performance computer that, in conjunction with an interior sensing solution, turns driving into a highly personalized experience. “The vehicle recognizes who’s at the wheel and detects whether there are any other passengers on board, then adjusts everything: from the exterior mirrors and vehicle handling to optimized airbag deployment in the event of an accident.” Product innovations in intelligent driver assistance solutions are also generating new business across all regions of the world:

together with sensor technologies and central vehicle computers, Bosch secured orders worth 10 billion euros in 2025. “Of course, the cars of the future will need not only algorithms but also powertrains,” Hartung said with regard to the growing business with electromobility. “This year alone, we will deliver more than 7 million solutions and components for electric driving.” Just a few weeks ago, Bosch announced a joint venture with Tata AutoComp Systems in India. Starting in the middle of the year, it will focus on the development, manufacturing, and sale of electric axles and motors in the Indian market.

Innovations in the field of consumer goods and services: AI is driving business forward

AI is providing significant growth opportunities in the services and product business as well. For example, a new oven model with an AI-based voice function is securing new sales potential for the BSH Hausgeräte division. No external loudspeakers or additional apps are required. Overall, the worldwide business with home appliances in the luxury and premium segment is expected to continue to grow, particularly in North America. Market experts estimate that global sales of home appliances will reach around 5 billion units by 2030. The use of AI is also driving product innovations in the Power Tools division. Since the start of the year, the first 30 tools in the Expert product line have been on the market and setting new standards for professional power tools. These include a new wall scanner that locates objects in different types of wall and uses Bosch radar technology in combination with AI object detection for the first time. Bosch’s services business is also benefiting from AI: The Bosch Global Service Solutions division also expects double-digit average sales growth by 2030 thanks to AIbased applications. Its service portfolio includes solutions for digital mobility services such as eCall and breakdown assistance as well as offerings for fleet operators and logistics providers. 

The 2025 business year: stable financial strength, liquidity, and R&D ratio 

Bosch achieved a positive free cash flow of some 300 million euros in 2025

(2024: some 900 million euros). The R&D ratio stood at 8.7 percent of sales

(2024: 8.6 percent). Expenditure on research and development amounted to 7.9 billion euros. “Even in difficult times, Bosch is prepared to make substantial upfront investments,” Forschner said. “Capital expenditure remained at a high level.” Bosch made considerable upfront investments in areas such as electromobility, semiconductors, and state-of-the-art braking control systems. At 41.6 percent, the equity ratio also remained high (2024: 44.3 percent). The Bosch Group continues to be financially solid, even though liquidity as per the consolidated statement of cash flows fell to 7.4 billion euros (2024: 8.2 billion euros).       

The 2025 business year: development by business sector

Sales development in the business sectors was held back both by the subdued economy in focus markets and by negative currency effects. The Mobility business sector recorded an increase in sales revenue of 0.1 percent to reach 55.8 billion euros. After adjusting for exchange-rate effects, this was equivalent to

2.9 percent growth. The EBIT margin from operations came to 1.8 percent (2024:

3.8 percent). In the Industrial Technology business sector, sales rose by 0.1 percent to 6.5 billion euros. Adjusted for exchange rate effects, the increase was 2.4 percent. The main reason for this was the downward trend on the North

American market. The EBIT margin increased to 3.5 percent (2024: 1.2 percent). In the Consumer Goods business sector, sales revenue fell by 1.9 percent year on year to 19.9 billion euros. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, however, sales increased by 4.1 percent. The consumer goods business suffered in particular from a lack of impetus from the construction industry in China and the U.S. The EBIT margin from operations was 3.0 percent (2024: 3.5 percent). The Energy and Building Technology business sector generated sales of 8.5 billion euros. This is an increase of 13.0 percent, or an exchange rate-adjusted 15.6 percent. The EBIT margin from operations was 0.5 percent (2024: 4.9 percent). This was heavily influenced by one-off costs from acquisitions and sales activities.

The 2025 business year: development by region

While sales revenue in Europe declined slightly, Bosch recorded slight increases in the other regions of the world. In Europe, sales revenue fell by 0.6 percent year on year to 44.2 billion euros – but grew by 1.5 percent after adjusting for exchange-rate effects. In the Americas, sales revenue increased by 3.8 percent to 18.5 billion euros, or by 9.3 percent after adjusting for exchange-rate effects. In Asia Pacific, sales increased by 0.7 percent to 28.3 billion euros. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, the growth rate amounted to a significant 5.0 percent. 

The 2025 business year: development of headcount

At the end of 2025, worldwide headcount in the Bosch Group stood at 412,774 associates (2024: 417,859), a reduction of around 1 percent (5,085 associates). This had the greatest impact on the Mobility business sector and regionally on Germany.

Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection, has announced the launch of Acronis GenAI Protection, a monitoring and security solution that enables managed service providers (MSPs) to control generative AI usage across client environments, preventing sensitive data exposure and protecting against malicious prompt manipulation. Acronis GenAI Protection represents the initial phase of Acronis Cyber Workspace, with additional capabilities planned for release to deliver a protected AI workspace, natively integrated into the Acronis platform.

As organizations rapidly adopt generative AI tools, businesses face growing risks related to data leakage, shadow AI usage, and malicious prompt manipulation. Many consumer-grade AI tools lack enterprise visibility, while enterprise solutions are not designed to be delivered and managed through MSPs. Acronis GenAI Protection addresses this gap by providing partners with a purpose-built solution to monitor and secure generative AI usage across SMB environments.

AI Monitoring and Security Delivered Through MSPs

Acronis GenAI Protection is designed to be provisioned, managed, and monetized by MSPs. Through a centralized console integrated into the Acronis platform, service providers can monitor AI usage across customer environments, including policy enforcement, reporting, and risk mitigation, while protecting generative AI interactions alongside data, applications, and endpoints.

“Generative AI adoption is accelerating, but it introduces new risks that businesses are not fully equipped to manage,” said Gaidar Magdanurov, President at Acronis. “MSPs are uniquely positioned to help businesses adopt AI securely, but until now they haven’t had the right tools to monitor and manage it effectively. GenAI Protection enables MSPs to turn AI security into a managed service, creating new revenue opportunities while protecting their customers from emerging risks.”

Built-In Protection for Generative AI Usage

Acronis GenAI Protection provides visibility and security for AI usage without requiring additional point solutions or enterprise-grade complexity.

Key capabilities include:

• Shadow AI usage and visibility: Discover and monitor generative AI applications used across client environments to understand adoption and risk exposure.
• Sensitive data protection for AI interactions: Inspect prompts for sensitive data such as PII or PHI and prevent unauthorized transmission to public or unsanctioned AI tools.
• Prompt injection and AI abuse prevention: Detect and block malicious prompts designed to manipulate AI behavior or compromise workflows.

“AI is now mainstream for SMBs, with over half using AI tools, led by marketing and sales seeking scale, productivity, and efficiency,” said Matthew Ball, Chief Analyst at Omdia. “While most adoption runs through SaaS, growing use of consumer AI, sanctioned or not, generates new security risks that create new requirements for MSPs to actively manage.”

As AI continues to evolve, Acronis plans to introduce additional AI-powered capabilities to protect, manage, and automate AI services and tools within its broader Cyber Workspace offering. These enhancements are designed to boost productivity and automation, enabling MSPs to streamline day-to-day operations while strengthening data and asset protection.