Tech News

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

Published

1 year ago

December 16, 2024

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

CHARLI XCX JOINS NOTHING AS FIRST GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR AND SHAREHOLDER

Published

5 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Nothing and Charli xcx are announcing a partnership that pairs one of the most distinct artists of her generation with a tech brand built on the same principle. As Nothing’s latest Shareholder and first Global Brand Ambassador, Charli xcx marks a new creative chapter for the brand.

As a Shareholder, Charli joins a global roster of cultural leaders, including The Weeknd, Casey Neistat, and Swedish House Mafia, who back Nothing not just as a maker of award-winning technology, but as a platform for creative expression.

Charli xcx said: “When I’m creating, I’m always thinking about how my work will be experienced out in the world and I love how Nothing headphones sound and are designed. Its ethos of prioritising creatives is really something I look for when working with a partner.”

Carl Pei, Co-Founder and CEO of Nothing, said: “I’ve been a fan of Charli’s work for years, and what struck me when we started talking was how much we agreed on. The tech industry has spent a decade making everything quieter, more minimal, more monotonous. Charli has spent her career going the other way in pop. We want Nothing to feel more like that. She’s joining as a shareholder and partner, and the campaign launching today is just the start of what we’re working on together.”

A global campaign with Charli xcx – shot by Aidan Zamiri, her long-time collaborator, in London – launches today under the name ‘NOTHING (CHARLI XCX)’. In the campaign Charli wears Nothing headphone (a) for five days straight, highlighting its industry-leading 135 hours of playtime.

Nothing recently raised US$200M in a Series C round at a USD $1.3B valuation. The partnership with Charli xcx signals what that scale is now being directed toward: a new kind of company at the intersection of technology and culture, built in partnership with the creative community.

Tech News

HONOR AND OWN ESIM PARTNER TO DELIVER SEAMLESS GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY ACROSS THE GCC

Published

9 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

HONOR, a global AI device ecosystem company, has announced a strategic collaboration with OWN eSIM to bring seamless digital connectivity solutions to smartphone users across the GCC. Through this partnership, the OWN eSIM application will be preinstalled on selected HONOR smartphone models using Google PAI, enabling customers to access and activate global connectivity services directly from their devices with greater ease and flexibility.

By integrating OWN eSIM’s digital connectivity platform within HONOR devices, users will be able to activate international data services instantly, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards and enabling a smoother travel and connectivity experience.

Enabling a Smarter and More Connected Mobile Experience

With digital lifestyles evolving, consumers increasingly expect their devices to offer seamless access to services that enhance everyday convenience. The partnership between HONOR and OWN eSIM responds to this demand by embedding advanced connectivity capabilities directly into the smartphone ecosystem. This integration allows HONOR users across the GCC to manage connectivity more easily, particularly when travelling or using multiple networks.

The initiative strengthens HONOR’s commitment to delivering innovation beyond hardware, positioning its devices as intelligent platforms for modern digital lifestyles. Through the integration of ready-to-use connectivity solutions. The preinstallation of the OWN eSIM application on HONOR devices will significantly enhance accessibility, adoption and visibility for the platform, allowing OWN eSIM to reach a wider audience of smartphone users across the GCC.

Debo Zhang, General Manager – HONOR GCC said, “Connectivity today must be as dynamic as the lives we lead. Our collaboration with OWN eSIM reflects HONOR’s commitment to delivering smarter, more integrated digital experiences for our users. Smartphones today are central to how people work, create, and stay entertained. By bringing eSIM functionality directly into our devices, we are enabling customers to stay connected more easily and confidently wherever their journeys take them.”

Expanding the Future of Digital Connectivity in the GCC

For OWN eSIM, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in expanding its presence across the GCC and strengthening its position within the rapidly growing eSIM ecosystem. With its application integrated directly into HONOR devices, OWN eSIM will be able to reach a broader base of consumers.

Martijn Van Der Ven, Founder and CEO of OWN eSIM, said, “We are pleased to partner with HONOR to bring our connectivity platform closer to users across the GCC. This collaboration represents a shared ambition to remove friction from the way people connect when they travel or move across borders. By embedding OWN eSIM directly into HONOR smartphones, we are delivering a seamless, future-ready connectivity experience designed for today’s digital-first consumers.”

Beyond the technical integration, the partnership will be supported by coordinated marketing and communication initiatives aimed at raising awareness and encouraging adoption across the region. Both companies will work together on campaigns that highlight the benefits of integrated eSIM technology.

Driving the Next Generation of Digital Connectivity

As mobile connectivity shifts toward more flexible, digital-first solutions, the collaboration between HONOR and OWN eSIM reflects a broader industry move toward embedded connectivity services that simplify the user experience. Combining HONOR’s device innovation with OWN eSIM’s connectivity expertise, the partnership aims to give users greater freedom and convenience to stay connected wherever they are.

Through this collaboration, HONOR and OWN eSIM are enhancing the smartphone experience while contributing to smarter connectivity across the GCC.

Tech News

ASUS SHOWCASES AI-ENABLED COMMERCIAL DEVICES AT FIRST-EVER GITEX KENYA 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 14, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

ASUS today announced its participation at the first edition of GITEX Kenya, taking place in Nairobi from May 19-21, 2026. With its theme ‘In Search of Incredible,” ASUS will showcase its critically acclaimed portfolio of AI PCs designed to support the country’s national digital economy agenda.

“We’re excited to be a part of the inaugural edition of GITEX Kenya. The country plays an important role in ASUS’s commercial long-term vision for the African market,” said Tolga Özdil, Regional Commercial Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa (META) at ASUS. “As the region undergoes a significant shift with industry trends like AI, cloud and sustainability, GITEX Kenya gives us the platform to show our latest innovations to customers in the enterprise, SMB and government sectors.”

“ASUS’s line of PCs integrates AI support at the hardware level, allowing professionals to take advantage of AI tools without the need to connect online. In addition to that, our devices demonstrate the highest level of security fit for organizations where data protection is a must.”

ASUS will showcase its strong lineup of commercial devices that includes the ExpertBook series and workstation PCs at the exhibition. Visitors will get a chance to try out the recently released ExpertBook Ultra (B9406), the company’s flagship device that weighs less than a kilogram and measures 10.9 mm thin. Designed for next-generation professionals, the B9406 features up to 50 TOPS NPU, which enables it to perform AI tasks on-device without affecting the performance or battery life. All of this is packed in a lightweight device that also features robust durability and enterprise-grade security. Other devices in the ExpertBook series, the B5405, P5405, as well as the P440 All-in-One and the P500 Expert Centre Mini Tower, will be on the stand.

ASUS will also highlight its AI-driven solutions that enhance productivity, such as AI ExpertMeet, a powerful AI-powered collaboration tool that helps simplify meetings with real-time transcriptions and summaries.

Building on national initiatives such as the Kenya AI Strategy 2025-2030, which positions the region as a hub for AI research, ASUS will support its ambitions with innovative AI-ready solutions. The company has designed its entire commercial portfolio focusing on key factors that help drive digital transformation priorities, such as AI-first design, cloud-ready devices and sustainability. Attendees can visit ASUS’s booth at Hall 2, Stand B45, to experience their latest products.