Tech News
UAE and Saudi businesses cite skills gaps, governance challenges and resource shortages as factors that stall or halt AI projects

Qlik today launched research of 4,200 C-Suite executives and AI decision makers, revealing what is hindering AI progress globally and how to overcome these barriers.
A lack of AI skills, governance challenges, and insufficient resources are the main factors stalling successful AI deployment. Despite these challenges, Qlik’s research highlights optimism among AI leaders, with 70% of UAE and 77% of Saudi respondents confident in their countries’ ability to lead in AI skills within the next five years.
Despite believing in the power of AI, most businesses have projects that have been paused, cancelled, or stuck in planning
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are both at the forefront of embracing AI. Businesses in these Middle Eastern countries recognise AI’s strategic importance, with 93% of UAE and 95% of Saudi respondents identifying AI as essential or very important for achieving organisational success, compared to 87% globally.
In the Gulf markets, organisations leverage AI mostly for knowledge sharing, training and enablement, creating cost-saving efficiencies, optimising operations, and predictive forecasting.
Despite this recognition, many AI projects struggle to progress. For instance, in the UAE, about 84% of organisations have up to 50 AI projects stuck in the planning and scoping stage. While the figure is marginally higher in Saudi [85%], both countries are slightly below the global average [87%]. Meanwhile, about 16% of UAE and 15% of Saudi respondents revealed that they have over 51 AI projects that haven’t made it out of the planning and scoping stage — figures higher than the global average [11%].
Even if AI projects do get started, not all get completed. In fact, the majority of UAE [72%] and Saudi [64%] businesses reported they have up to 50 projects that have been paused or cancelled. These figures align with the global average [68%]. Meanwhile, 13% of UAE businesses and 14% of Saudi organisations stated they have paused or halted over 51 AI projects — higher than the 8% worldwide average.
Skills gaps, lack of resources and regulatory challenges are among key barriers
There are different factors that slow down or hinder AI projects in UAE- and Saudi Arabia-based businesses.
In the UAE, the main reasons AI projects are paused or cancelled include regulatory challenges [24%], lack of skills/resources to support the implementation and roll-out [24%], and budgetary challenges/constraints [21%]. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the top reasons include too unorganised/untrusted data for AI to work with [27%], lack of skills/resources to support the implementation and roll-out [25%], and not having enough data available for AI to work with [25%].
On a more general level, organisations in these countries face overarching constraints that prevent them from achieving their AI goals.
In the UAE, the most significant barriers include a lack of AI skills [31%], a lack of data skills [27%], and insufficient data and analytics capabilities and tools [25%]. In Saudi Arabia, the main challenges are a lack of ability to identify the problems to solve [31%], lack of data skills [30%], and insufficient resources, such as inadequate relevant staff [27%].
These issues align with challenges faced by various organisations around the world. Globally, a lack of AI skills [31%], insufficient resources [26%], and regulation and governance issues [24%] emerged as the top obstacles when it comes to hitting AI goals.
On building trust, educating users and the need for funding and upskilling
To overcome AI adoption hurdles, turning to ready-made AI solutions could be the key. The report states that these products serve as practical starting points. In Saudi Arabia, 81% of decision-makers agree that supplier-provided solutions enhance AI development. In the UAE, this figure is at 69%.
Building more trust in AI is also an essential component of the narrative. In Saudi Arabia [83%] and the UAE [82%], AI leaders recognise the need to build more trust among users. Additionally, education and training are also seen as vital. In the UAE, 78% of respondents agree on the need for more training for staff and customers to foster trust in AI. This sentiment is shared by 82% in Saudi Arabia.
To further support AI adoption, funding and upskilling initiatives are also imperative. In Saudi Arabia [82%] and the UAE [72%], decision-makers believe their government needs to provide more funding and training in AI. Industries must also take a proactive approach to nurturing AI talent, with the majority of the respondents in Saudi Arabia [87%] and the UAE [70%] echoing this sentiment.
Amid all these concerns, both the Middle Eastern powerhouses remain optimistic about their AI capabilities. In Saudi Arabia [77%] and the UAE [70%], most of the respondents believe their country has the potential to lead in AI skills within the next five years. These figures are slightly ahead of the global average of 66%.
“Business leaders know the value of AI, but they face a multitude of barriers that prevent them from moving from proof of concept to value creating deployment of the technology. The first step to creating an AI strategy is to identify a clear use case, with defined goals and measures of success, and use this to identify the skills, resources and data needed to support it at scale. In doing so you start to build trust and win management buy-in to help you succeed,” said James Fisher, Chief Strategy Officer at Qlik.
Tech News
PNY Restructures Middle East and Africa Operations to Support Growth of its Consumer and Professional Solutions
PNY Technologies today announced a strategic restructuring of its operations in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region to support continued growth across its consumer and professional product lines.
As part of this transformation, PNY is creating two dedicated business divisions:


- * The Channel Division, led by Talus Arukalil, will focus on strengthening distribution channels for NVIDIA graphics products (NVIDIA GeForce and NVIDIA RTX Pro) and retail storage solutions, including SSDs, DRAM, flash cards, and USB drives.
- * The Compute Division, managed by Muhannad Hammad, will drive business development around AI infrastructure and professional services, aligning with the increasing demand for advanced NVIDIA-powered computing solutions across the region.
This reorganization follows the recent opening of a new regional office in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing PNY’s long-term commitment to the Middle East and Africa.
To further enhance regional coverage and ensure the best local support for its customers, PNY had recently assigned dedicated Key Account Managers to specific areas:
- Gader Muhsen for North Africa,
- Saqer Alanazi for Saudi Arabia,
- Kagiso Diteko for East and Southern Africa
PNY is also pleased to welcome Ahmed Gamal as Business Development Manager – AI Solutions, based in Dubai, UAE. His appointment reflects PNY’s dedication to delivering tailored AI solutions and supporting strategic partners across the region.
Tech News
ASBIS and iiyama sign distribution agreement for the MENA Region

ASBIS Group, a leading Value Add Distributor, developer, and provider of ICT, IoT products, solutions, and services to the markets of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), has announced a strategic distribution agreement with iiyama, a leading manufacturer of professional and commercial display solutions. This partnership, formalized at a signing ceremony, aims to enhance the availability of high-quality display technology in the Middle East and North Africa.
Under the terms of the agreement, ASBIS will distribute iiyama’s comprehensive range of products, including high-performance desktop monitors, gaming displays, advanced touchscreens, and large-format screens. This collaboration is set to boost access to cutting-edge visual technologies across critical sectors such as education, retail, corporate environments, hospitality, and healthcare.
“We are excited to welcome iiyama into our network of world-leading vendors,” stated Hesham Tantawi, Vice President of ASBIS Middle East. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional technology solutions to our partners and clients across the region. iiyama’s advances in display technology are well-aligned with our strategic objectives for market growth and digital transformation “
The collaboration will prioritize mutual growth through joint marketing efforts, dedicated channel support, and go-to-market strategies that address the unique needs of the MENA market. This alliance is expected to foster innovation, elevate customer experiences, and enhance the competitive positioning of both ASBIS and iiyama.
Tech News
Syncrow Revolutionises Smart Building Management with New IoT Platform SyncOS

Syncrow, a provider of scalable and innovative automation solutions powered by the Internet of Things (IoT), has launched SyncOS, a cloud-based IoT platform set to redefine smart building management across the GCC region.
SyncOS’ flexibility and scalability provide a more effective way for businesses and organisations to manage multiple buildings, floors, or rooms through the web or a mobile app. With this launch, Syncrow is expanding its lineup of comprehensive IoT and automation solutions that enhance efficiency, comfort, sustainability, and wellness across various sectors.
Featuring an intuitive dashboard, SyncOS gives property and facility managers all the information they need at a glance. This allows for easy monitoring and control of all connected devices, including lighting, water, HVAC, and security systems, across residential, commercial, and mixed-use environments.

Leveraging the power of IoT and smart sensors, SyncOS offers predictive maintenance capabilities by monitoring device health and sending out early warnings to reduce downtime and prevent costly failures.
SyncOS’ advanced technology enables a smooth transition from traditional wired systems. With Syncrow’s wireless-first approach, the platform transforms existing buildings into smart environments – delivering cost-efficiency, peak system performance, and minimal operational disruption.
To ensure effortless onboarding and rapid adoption of new smart devices, SyncOS supports over 60 device types, with more added on a regular basis. This wide compatibility allows businesses and partners to integrate their existing apps and ecosystems using open APIs and white label options.

One of Syncrow’s key focus areas with the launch of SyncOS is wellness. The company is committed to advancing people’s wellbeing by creating technologies that respond to increasingly stringent occupant health standards. The IoT platform is capable of automating key environmental factors, including thermal comfort, air quality, water purity and more.
The launch of SyncOS contributes to various government initiatives, such as the UAE’s Green Agenda – 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030. Both programmes emphasise the use of advanced technologies to promote energy efficiency and sustainable development.
With roots in the UAE and active operations in Saudi Arabia, Syncrow has critical hands-on knowledge and experience with building codes, technical standards, and project workflows in the region. The company has successfully delivered projects for leading brands across the GCC, demonstrating its capability to meet regional demands with precision and reliability.

Commenting on the launch, Syncrow Co-Founder and CEO, Talal Debs, says: “We developed SyncOS to combine the capabilities of legacy building management systems with modern controls, data, IoT automation, and cloud connectivity. Our platform enables businesses to benefit from real-time actionable insights with detailed device-level information to drive smarter decisions.”
“People today are more conscious than ever about their health and overall well-being, whether at home, at work, or while traveling,” Talal added. “At Syncrow, we’ve designed our solutions to prioritise these evolving needs by focusing on air quality and environmental wellness. By doing so, we’re not only improving people’s lifestyles but also enabling businesses to deliver healthier, more responsive environments for their customers.”
Following the launch of SyncOS, Syncrow will continue developing various smart automation solutions that are centred on the needs of the GCC markets and deliver long-term scalability and resilience in the fast-transforming region.
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