OpenAI's ChatGPT has brought the use of artificial intelligence into the spotlight. AP
OpenAI's ChatGPT has brought the use of artificial intelligence into the spotlight. AP
OpenAI's ChatGPT has brought the use of artificial intelligence into the spotlight. AP
OpenAI's ChatGPT has brought the use of artificial intelligence into the spotlight. AP

Why business leaders would let a robot make decisions for them


Alvin R Cabral
  • English
  • Arabic

A growing number of business leaders globally are considering relying on artificial intelligence to make organisational decisions for them to relieve them of the challenge of handling massive amounts of data, a new study from Oracle has found.

About 70 per cent of leaders — and 64 per cent of all those surveyed — would prefer to have a robot make the decisions for them as the “situation is so challenging”, the Decision Dilemma report showed.

Enterprises that use technology to make data-driven decisions are likely to have a better reputation, with 79 per cent saying that it made them more trustworthy and potentially more successful, it said.

Respondents believe that they are likely to invest in (76 per cent), partner with (77 per cent) or work for (78 per cent) these companies, the report showed.

“The message is overwhelmingly clear — our current approach to managing and analysing data must change, especially in the business world,” the report said.

“The benefits of getting it right span from attracting talent in a difficult job market, to gaining new investors in a tough economic climate.”

Businesses and workers are handling more data than ever before in an era of digital transformation, in which technology touches practically every part of life.

This has prompted users to seek innovative ways to deal with data and eventual decision making, particularly gravitating towards AI and machine learning.

While these technologies are not new in business, they have significantly gained momentum with the advent of generative AI, made popular by OpenAI's ChatGPT, which can produce various kinds of data, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, 3D objects and videos.

“In theory, the data should help, but in reality, it's having the opposite effect,” the study said.

About 97 per cent of people want help from data, but 86 per cent say the volume of data is making decisions in their personal and professional lives much more complicated, it said.

The influx of data is also hurting business performance, with 91 per cent of leaders claiming that the growing number of data sources has limited the success of their organisations, the study said.

A further 73 per cent admit their lack of trust in data has stopped them from making any decisions at all.

“Having the right type of decision intelligence can make or break the success of an organisation,” the study said.

The message is overwhelmingly clear — our current approach to managing and analysing data must change, especially in the business world
Oracle Decision Dilemma report

In the Arab world's two largest economies, the numbers are higher for business leaders who prefer robots to make decisions, at 78 per cent in Saudi Arabia and 73 per cent in the UAE.

“Business leaders know the right data and insights can be a game changer … when they have the right data and insights, they can make better decisions for human resources, finance, supply chain and customer experience,” the study said.

“Clearly, something’s got to give, and that something is how most organisations currently approach managing and analysing data,” it said.

“What business leaders really need is decision intelligence, connecting data to insight, to decision, to action.”

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

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What's in the deal?

Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024

India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.

India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.

Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments

India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery

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Company%20profile
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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Infiniti QX80 specs

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WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

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Lexus LX700h specs

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

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Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier

Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August

 

Group A

Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar

Group B

UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

 

UAE group fixtures

Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran

Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait

Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi

 

UAE squad

Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed

GULF MEN'S LEAGUE

Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2

Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers

 

Opening fixtures

Thursday, December 5

6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles

7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers

7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles

7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2

 

Recent winners

2018 Dubai Hurricanes

2017 Dubai Exiles

2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)

Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)

Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)

Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)

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The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

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Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

MATCH INFO

Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai

UNpaid bills:

Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019

USA – $1.055 billion

Brazil – $143 million

Argentina – $52 million

Mexico – $36 million

Iran – $27 million

Israel – $18 million

Venezuela – $17 million

Korea – $10 million

Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN peacekeeping operations in 2019

USA – $2.38 billion

Brazil – $287 million

Spain – $110 million

France – $103 million

Ukraine – $100 million

 

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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

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Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m

7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m

8.15pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m

9.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Updated: May 10, 2023, 2:47 PM