Artificial intelligence adoption is reshaping workplace operations across the Gulf, but a new survey suggests that employees are experiencing increased workloads as organisations integrate AI tools into daily processes. Global consulting firm Korn Ferry’s Workforce 2026 Global Insights Report found that professionals in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are reporting higher workload pressures compared with global averages. The survey, which covered more than 16,000 professionals across 11 markets, highlights a growing gap between leadership expectations around AI efficiency and the experiences of employees responsible for implementing and managing new technologies. While executives continue to see productivity improvements from AI, many employees report that these tools are expanding their responsibilities rather than reducing their workload.
According to the report, 70 percent of employees in the UAE and 71 percent in Saudi Arabia said their workloads have increased significantly over the past two years, compared with 62 percent globally. The survey also found that 50 percent of UAE respondents and 58 percent of Saudi respondents feel they are too busy to deliver meaningful results, compared with 45 percent globally. AI adoption is contributing to this shift, with 59 percent of UAE employees and 64 percent of Saudi employees reporting that AI tools have increased the number of tasks expected within their roles. Globally, 52 percent of respondents shared the same view. At the same time, organisations continue to report benefits from AI implementation, with 79 percent of CEOs globally saying AI has improved efficiency, compared with 51 percent of individual contributors. Among employees using AI tools, 68 percent of UAE respondents and 78 percent of Saudi respondents said AI had improved their efficiency, compared with 63 percent globally.
The findings indicate that the challenge for organisations is not only related to AI adoption or employee readiness, but also how roles and workloads are structured. The report found that 65 percent of UAE employees and 69 percent of Saudi employees believe they are handling responsibilities equivalent to more than one role, compared with 61 percent globally. This trend reflects how work previously handled by expanded teams or replaced processes is increasingly being redistributed among existing employees. Despite these pressures, Gulf employees reported stronger AI preparedness than many global counterparts. Around 62 percent of UAE respondents and 65 percent of Saudi respondents said they feel adequately trained to use AI tools, compared with the global average of 52 percent. The data suggests that training alone may not address workforce concerns, as organisations also need to evaluate workload management, operational structures and employee support systems.
The report also highlighted broader workplace challenges affecting employee engagement and organisational performance. Workforce motivation has declined from 71 percent in 2024 to 61 percent in 2026, with employees increasingly prioritising factors such as compensation, job security and fair treatment over the nature of their work. In addition, 68 percent of UAE respondents and 75 percent of Saudi respondents said existing processes and organisational structures limit their ability to perform effectively, compared with 64 percent globally. The survey found that 57 percent of UAE employees and 63 percent of Saudi employees believe their organisations struggle to turn new ideas into measurable outcomes, compared with 52 percent globally. Globally, 42 percent of organisations have reduced management roles over the past year, while 55 percent of remaining managers reported experiencing exhaustion. Within the Gulf, 50 percent of UAE respondents and 58 percent of Saudi respondents said they are not receiving the support they need from their managers. The findings suggest that as organisations continue investing in AI, balancing technological adoption with workforce capacity, leadership support and effective role design will remain important factors in achieving sustainable productivity gains.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
