ServiceNow predicts more than one million new AI-driven jobs in UAE by 2030

ServiceNow predicts that more than 1.03 million jobs will be created in the UAE by 2030. artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are being introduced throughout the economyhighlighting the scale of the country's ambitions to position itself as a global artificial intelligence hub.

The forecast comes amid sustained public and private sector investment in AI-driven transformation, driven by initiatives such as the UAE National AI Strategy 2031, the establishment of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence, and the rapid adoption of cloud platforms, automation and data-driven services across government and industry.

According to ServiceNow, most of these new positions will not be traditional “AI jobs” focused solely on data science or machine learning. Instead, they will cover a wide range of functions including IT service management, cybersecurity, workflow automation, digital operations and business roles, complemented by AI-enabled tools. The company argues that AI will increasingly act as a productivity layer in organizations, transforming existing jobs while creating demand for new skills.

The forecast is consistent with ServiceNow's findings. Enterprise AI Maturity Index 2025produced in collaboration with Oxford Economics, which shows that organizations around the world are accelerating investment in AI, despite the challenges of effectively deploying it at scale. The study found that overall enterprise AI maturity has been declining year over year as innovation outpaces governance, skill development and leadership alignment.

However, in the UAE, organizations stand out in their commitment to invest. Survey respondents in the country were among the most likely in the world to say they expect spending on AI to increase in the next fiscal year, reflecting strong confidence in the economic potential of AI and automation. The UAE also ranked highly in the perceived availability of AI talent compared to European markets such as France, Italy and Spain.

ServiceNow said this appetite for investment is supported by the UAE's national focus on digital government, smart cities and AI-enabled government services. Programs to digitize citizen services, modernize infrastructure and deploy advanced analytics in sectors such as finance, energy, aviation and logistics are creating demand for platforms that can connect data, workflows and automation at scale.

However, the study also highlights problems. Data security and governance have been identified as key barriers to realizing the value of AI in the UAE, reflecting challenges seen in other advanced digital economies. As organizations experiment with generative and agent-based AI, many lack the tools needed to manage risk, ensure compliance, and measure ROI.

ServiceNow's research highlights the growing importance of so-called “AI Leaders”—organizations that outperform competitors by taking a platform approach, embedding AI into end-to-end workflows, and prioritizing management and leadership. These organizations are more likely to report increased productivity, faster innovation, and increased returns from AI investments.

Agentic AI stands out as a key new trend. While adoption remains at an early stage, ServiceNow believes such technologies can play a significant role in sectors critical to the UAE economy, including cybersecurity operations, infrastructure management and customer service.

The report also highlights that human capital will be critical to the UAE's AI-driven growth. While automation will make routine tasks easier, organizations will have to invest heavily in retraining and upskilling employees so they can work effectively alongside AI systems. Roles focused on AI governance, workflow development, change management and ethical oversight are expected to increase.

The company concludes that Combination of UAE national strategyRegulatory support and willingness to invest make it possible to realize the economic benefits of AI.

However, achieving the forecast of 1.03 million new jobs will depend on how effectively organizations translate ambition into reality, balancing innovation and management, as well as technology adoption and workforce transformation.