About one fifth of businesses in emerging markets say they are not ready to adopt artificial intelligence due to gaps in infrastructure, talent and resources. This is despite 70 per cent of company executives reporting access to fundamental IT capabilities, including consistent and stable internet connections.
The findings were part of a new report by the UAE-based technology company G42 in collaboration with Economist Impact, which surveyed 700 senior executives from medium to large companies across seven emerging markets: Azerbaijan, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya and Turkey.
Almost 81 per cent of respondents described limited or no access to training data, while 84 per cent identified high-capacity computational systems to feed and power AI systems as significant barriers.
Wendy Gonzalez, chief executive of US-based training data company Samasource and a contributor to the report, said components such as cloud computing, graphics processing units and adequate processing capacities are critical drivers for AI implementation, particularly in emerging markets.
Talent paucity threatens long-term growth
The report highlighted a severe shortage of AI talent in emerging markets, with 45 per cent of surveyed businesses citing this as a main obstacle. Companies struggle to find workers with a mix of technical skills, such as data literacy and system programming, and soft skills like critical thinking and communication.
“AI talent is no longer solely about complex mathematics and programming,” said Mark Manantan, director of cybersecurity and critical technology at the Pacific Forum. “Today, softer skills integrated with technical competencies are equally critical.”
Adding to the problem is the 'brain drain' phenomenon. For example, India had 770,000 students leave the country for higher education in 2022, while political and economic instability in Turkey drove 139,530 of its citizens to emigrate in the same year, the largest demographic being people aged 25 to 29.
“Talent is critical,” said Maymee Kurian, group human capital and culture officer at G42. "In a field such as AI, which is highly innovation-driven and evolves at lightning speed, it’s crucial to find the right talent that can keep up with those changes but also bring new perspectives."
Uneven AI readiness
The report found disparities in AI readiness between larger and smaller companies.
Larger firms, defined as those with more than 1,000 employees, are better equipped to adopt AI solutions. They are also more likely to develop custom AI tools, with 53 per cent of large companies taking this approach compared to 39 per cent of smaller firms.
These custom tools can drive personalised employee and customer experiences, as well as enhance decision-making. In one example, MakeMyTrip, an Indian travel company, is developing an AI-powered chatbot in partnership with Microsoft to address language barriers for domestic users.
However, while some companies invest in tailored AI solutions, many remain hesitant due to uncertainties around measurable outcomes.
The lack of a clearly defined return on investment for AI solutions is one of the major obstacles identified in the report. Nearly 30 per cent of respondents indicated that unclear return-on-investment metrics hinder their ability to adopt AI technology.
“Developing clear processes and metrics will help companies assess progress and the business value of implementing AI systems,” said Mohit Kapoor, chief technology officer at Mahindra Group.
Despite these challenges, businesses acknowledge the potential benefits of AI. Increased productivity and efficiency were identified by 59 per cent of respondents, while 42 per cent reported improved customer satisfaction and 38 per cent highlighted cost reduction.
Harmonising innovation and regulation
The report underscored the need for governments in emerging markets to take a proactive role in addressing AI readiness. National strategies, such as Rwanda’s AI road map and the IndiaAI initiative, aim to enhance infrastructure and provide AI education in both a formal and informal way.
While businesses are keen to explore AI, regulatory uncertainty in many emerging markets remains a challenge. Nearly 48 per cent of surveyed business leaders believe their governments are still in the early stages of AI readiness and 28 per cent say national policies do not sufficiently support AI technology.
The report calls for balanced regulation that encourages innovation while addressing risks. Bitange Ndemo, Kenya’s ambassador to the European Union, advocated “sandboxes” to foster safe experimentation with AI technology.
Policymakers in emerging markets must focus on strengthening AI readiness through infrastructure investment, enhancing education with both Stem and critical-thinking skills, and crafting robust AI strategies to guide businesses. Despite budget constraints, these markets may adapt more quickly due to minimal legacy infrastructure, the report noted.
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
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Astroworld
Travis Scott
Grand Hustle/Epic/Cactus Jack
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
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UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures: Monday, first 50-over match; Wednesday, second 50-over match; Thursday, third 50-over match
Captain Marvel
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn
4/5 stars
Friday’s fixture
6.15pm: Al Wahda v Hatta
6.15pm: Al Dhafra v Ajman
9pm: Al Wasl v Baniyas
9pm: Fujairah v Sharjah
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
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On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
