标签： Africa

The Middle East has emerged as a global frontrunner in workplace artificial intelligence integration, with a remarkable 75% of regional employees actively utilizing AI tools in their professional roles over the past year. This adoption rate significantly surpasses the global average of 69%, according to PwC’s comprehensive Middle East Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2025.

The comprehensive study reveals that AI has transitioned from theoretical concept to practical reality across Middle Eastern organizations. An impressive 79% of employees report substantial productivity improvements through AI implementation, while 87% note enhanced output quality and 84% experience heightened creative capabilities. This technological embrace reflects a fundamental cultural shift where AI is increasingly perceived as an empowering tool rather than occupational threat.

Regional enthusiasm markedly contrasts with global apprehensions regarding AI’s workplace impact. Approximately 61% of Middle Eastern office workers express excitement about AI’s potential, compared to just 47% worldwide. This optimistic outlook is bolstered by cohesive national digital strategies, including the UAE’s National Strategy for AI 2031 and Saudi Arabia’s National Strategy for Data & AI, which provide clear frameworks for technological advancement.

Generational analysis indicates Millennials and Gen Z employees are leading this transformation, demonstrating greater familiarity with generative AI tools like ChatGPT compared to senior colleagues. Their technological fluency positions them advantageously for evolving entry-level positions, though organizational leadership remains divided on whether these roles will expand (34%) or contract (43%) due to automation.

Randa Bahsoun, Partner at PwC Middle East, emphasizes: “While employees demonstrate remarkable adaptability with AI, they seek security and support. Organizations providing role evolution clarity, learning access, and wellbeing protection will excel in retaining talent within this dynamic labor market.”

The research further identifies a strong emphasis on skills development, with 69% of regional employees pursuing new competencies annually—substantially above global averages. Notably, 81% now prioritize positions offering transferable skill development, indicating learning opportunities have become fundamental career expectations. Companies are responding positively, with 63% of employees reporting managerial support for capability building and 68% acknowledging adequate learning resource access.

Despite technological optimism, workforce challenges persist. Approximately 45% of employees report fatigue symptoms while 48% feel overwhelmed by increasing workloads. Concurrently, job security has become paramount for 82% of professionals amid ongoing economic uncertainties.

The report ultimately depicts a region balancing technological ambition with human needs, suggesting organizations combining transparency with substantive upskilling and wellbeing initiatives will best sustain the Middle East’s accelerating AI momentum.

The United Arab Emirates has witnessed an extraordinary bull run in gold markets throughout 2025, with prices surging more than 60 percent in a single year and delivering nearly doubled returns for investors who entered the market earlier. This remarkable performance has transformed gold from a traditional safe-haven asset into one of the year’s top-performing investments.

Abu Dhabi resident Zeba Mohammed exemplifies this trend, having purchased 10 grams of gold jewelry in December 2024 for approximately Dh3,000. Just twelve months later, her investment has appreciated to nearly Dh5,000 in value. ‘I keep advising my friends and family to do the same,’ Mohammed stated, highlighting gold’s growing popularity as both an accessible investment vehicle and meaningful gift.

According to Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, the foundations for this rally were established years ago, reflecting ‘a profound shift in the macro, geopolitical, and institutional backdrop for gold.’ The numbers speak volumes: 24K gold opened the year at Dh318.0 per gram before climbing to unprecedented heights of Dh540.0 per gram by year’s end.

The soaring prices have democratized gold investment, attracting first-time and small-scale investors. UAE expat Sana Ashraf began her investment journey with gold and silver ETFs earlier this year, already witnessing a 30 percent portfolio growth within months. Similarly, Dubai resident Ashraf Khan participates in a jewelry shop scheme that allows him to systematically invest Dh2,000 annually while acquiring pieces without making charges.

Despite the overwhelming optimism, analysts caution that 2026 may bring volatility. Hansen notes that January’s commodity index rebalancing could trigger significant selling in futures markets, potentially creating short-term price disruptions. Additionally, questions remain about the sustainability of central bank demand as rising prices automatically increase the value of existing reserves.

Looking ahead, scenarios including sticky inflation combined with rate cuts could create stagflation-like conditions historically favorable for gold. Some analysts maintain long-term targets as high as $5,000 per ounce by late 2026, suggesting the golden run might have further to go despite anticipated bumps along the way.

Dubai’s real estate market is experiencing a transformative shift as ultra-low monthly payment plans revolutionize property accessibility. These innovative financing structures, requiring just 1% monthly installments, are dismantling traditional barriers to homeownership by eliminating substantial upfront deposits that previously deterred potential buyers.

Developers across the UAE are aggressively promoting these schemes as accessible entry points into property investment, particularly appealing to expatriate entrepreneurs, freelancers, and salaried professionals seeking long-term roots in the Emirates. The fundamental appeal lies in preserving liquidity—buyers can maintain capital for business expansion and avoid personal loans while gradually building property equity.

However, financial analysts caution that beneath the surface of these attractive payment arrangements lurk potential complexities. Many plans conclude with substantial balloon payments or require mortgage conversions at completion, exposing buyers to interest rate fluctuations. The critical period occurs post-handover when investors must transition from development-phase payments to potentially heavier financial obligations.

Industry leaders present contrasting perspectives on this emerging trend. Rizwan Sajan, Founder of Danube Group, champions these plans as empowering tools that enable disciplined investors to participate in Dubai’s growth story without immobilizing capital. Conversely, Jumana Al Gaddah of MAG Group Holding emphasizes that true affordability extends beyond initial payments to encompass entire ownership journeys, warning against structures that merely defer financial pressure.

The proliferation of 1% plans has democratized market access, attracting non-traditional borrowers who might not qualify for conventional mortgages. While this expansion fosters inclusivity, it simultaneously raises concerns about potential over-leveraging among buyers with unconventional income profiles.

As competition intensifies among mid-market developers, these payment plans have evolved into powerful marketing instruments. Prospective purchasers must scrutinize total cost structures, service charges, post-handover conditions, and developer track records rather than focusing solely on the attractive monthly percentage.

The ultimate viability of these arrangements hinges on transparent terms, realistic financial planning, and alignment with long-term stability objectives. When properly structured and thoroughly understood, 1% payment plans can serve as legitimate pathways to property ownership—but they demand comprehensive due diligence to avoid future financial strain.