More than half (52 percent) of industry professionals in the Middle East say the ability to implement/work with AI is a key technical skill they will be prioritizing for hiring decisions over the next three years.
As per the latest Autodesk 2024 State of Design and Make Report, nearly 5,400 industry leaders and experts worldwide (including the UAE and KSA in the Middle East) in various industries, including construction, architecture, engineering, operations and design & manufacturing (D&M), were interviewed for insights on how digital transformation is driving business resilience, powering sustainability efforts, and shaping the future of work. Notably, 46 percent of design and make companies in the Middle East indicate they are approaching or have achieved their goal of incorporating AI, compared to 56 percent globally. 85 percent of Middle Eastern respondents are confident that their company will make the right decisions regarding AI. While 84 percent of interviewees said that AI will enhance their industry, a stark 51 percent believe AI will destabilize the industry.
The report found that AI is shaping business transformation across industries as trust in AI is growing with 87 percent of industry professionals in the Middle East compared to 76 percent globally saying they trust AI for their industry. Businesses are using AI to increase productivity and automate work, and leaders predict that generative AI will help their teams make crucial design decisions about physical products, buildings, and digital assets in the next years. This increase in technology adoption fueled by AI is set to continue, with 77 percent of industry professionals globally saying they will continue to invest in AI and emerging technology in the next three years.
Cost challenges and lack of staff are forcing companies to become leaner and more efficient. As a result, more than half (52 percent) of industry professionals say the ability to implement/work with AI is one of the top technical skills companies will be prioritizing for hiring decisions over the next three years. 84 percent of these industry professionals in the Middle East say AI will enhance their industry and are aiming to utilize this trajectory to their benefit.
Results show that 87 percent of Middle Eastern survey respondents agree that upskilling is important while 41 percent say their organizations don’t have the necessary skills and resources to design internal training programs, making it difficult for companies to effectively train employees on systems and processes that are specific to their organization. However, these limitations are not stopping companies from offering any training at all, with 79 percent of Middle Eastern respondents implementing continuous learning and 82 percent investing in digital skills training programs.
As companies take action to address the rising challenge to business growth, talent acquisition and retention, the report findings show clear factors to consider. Amongst the Middle East respondents, 81 percent say digital maturity of companies helps attract talent and 80 percent find that sustainability efforts attract and help retain talent. Looking ahead, 97 percent of the interviewed industry professionals from the Middle East confirmed they are taking steps to improve sustainability of which 49 percent of the respondents say that AI is an important tool for their company to increase sustainability.
