The impact of artificial intelligence on the United Arab Emirates job market

@Cheryl

Artificial Intelligence and the Job Market in the UAE – My Experience

With more than 27 years of experience in the UAE, especially in Facilities Management, CAFM systems, and planning engineering, I have personally witnessed how AI is gradually transforming our industry and the wider job market.

1. Which sectors in the UAE are most affected by AI?

In my observation, the following sectors are significantly impacted:

Facilities Management & Real Estate – Predictive maintenance, smart building systems, IoT integration, automated work order systems.

Construction & Engineering – AI-based project planning, risk analysis, cost estimation tools.

Banking & Finance – Automated customer service, fraud detection systems.

Retail & Logistics – Demand forecasting, automated inventory systems.

Government & Smart City Initiatives – Data-driven decision-making, smart infrastructure management.

The UAE government’s strong push toward Smart Cities and digital transformation is accelerating AI adoption across sectors.

2. Which skills should be highlighted to stand out?

From my experience, professionals should focus on:

Digital literacy and data analysis

Knowledge of AI-integrated software platforms

CAFM / CMMS system expertise

Understanding of IoT and smart building technologies

Adaptability and continuous learning

Problem-solving and analytical thinking

Project management skills with technology integration

Technical knowledge combined with practical field experience is now very important.

3. What AI-related changes have I noticed personally?

In Facilities Management:

Preventive maintenance is moving toward predictive maintenance using data analytics.

Work order systems are becoming more automated.

Reporting is more data-driven, with dashboards and real-time monitoring.

Manual planning activities are increasingly supported by smart scheduling tools.

Clients expect faster, technology-supported decision-making.

Earlier, many tasks required manual tracking and coordination. Today, AI-enabled systems improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize resources.

4. My advice to fellow expats

Do not fear AI — adapt to it.

Upgrade your skills continuously, especially in digital tools.

Combine your experience with technology knowledge.

Focus on value-added roles that require human judgment and decision-making.

Stay aligned with UAE’s vision for digital transformation.

AI is not replacing professionals entirely; it is changing how we work. Those who adapt and upskill will continue to find strong opportunities in the UAE job market.

Thank you.