Majority of CEOs in UAE Predict Worldwide Economic Expansion within a 3-5 year span, Finds Poll Data
In a significant shift, UAE CEOs are demonstrating a higher level of strategic agility compared to their global peers, according to a recent survey by Arthur D. Little, a company specializing in growth and transformation.
This strategic agility is a response to external factors affecting their businesses, particularly geopolitical shifts and evolving growth dynamics. To adapt to these changing circumstances, UAE companies are dedicating 1.8% of their revenues to initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, which exceeds global benchmarks.
The survey reveals that UAE CEOs prioritize digital transformation, AI integration, sustainability, and workforce development as their key strategic focuses.
In the realm of digital and AI adoption, the use of AI-driven coaching and mentoring is rapidly growing as a strategic lever to reshape leadership, accelerate nationalization, and enhance talent retention in the UAE and the Gulf region. The digital coaching sector in the UAE is forecasted to grow significantly, reflecting CEOs’ emphasis on technology-enabled workforce development.
Sustainability and ESG integration are also high on the agenda. By 2030, a majority of UAE leadership programs are expected to include environmental, social, and governance (ESG) modules, indicating a strong CEO commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
Moreover, there is a focus on innovation in the financial and insurance sectors. Transformation and innovation blending insurance with other sectors, supporting new business models and regulatory approaches especially in financial services, are key priorities.
CEOs are also emphasizing AI’s role in improving reliability and accountability in carbon emissions reduction efforts, highlighting sustainability combined with technological innovation as a priority.
Reskilling is a key strategic priority for 60% of UAE CEOs, which is higher than the global average of 49%. UAE companies anticipate an average 8.8% annual productivity boost over the next three years, underpinned by this focus on reskilling.
CEOs in the UAE are remarkably optimistic about the global economy, as indicated by the 2025 CEO Insights Survey. A striking 85% of CEOs in the UAE expect improvement over the next three to five years, which is an increase from 61% in 2024.
Thirty percent of UAE CEOs prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors over other strategic initiatives, more than double the global figure. This underscores the importance UAE CEOs place on sustainability and responsible business practices.
Francesco Marsella, Global Leader for Growth and Transformation at Arthur D. Little, added to the statement, "The UAE CEOs' strategic agility is a notable characteristic in the current business landscape." Thomas Kuruvilla, Managing Partner at Arthur D. Little Middle East & India, stated this about UAE leadership.
In conclusion, the strategic priorities of UAE CEOs, as revealed in Arthur D. Little’s latest survey and related research from 2025, include digital and AI adoption, talent transformation via AI coaching, sustainability with ESG integration, and innovative approaches in financial services and carbon management. These priorities reflect a commitment to staying ahead in the rapidly changing global business landscape.
- UAE CEOs are demonstrating a higher strategic agility compared to their global peers, prioritizing digital transformation, AI integration, sustainability, and workforce development.
- In the digital and AI adoption realm, the use of AI-driven coaching and mentoring is rapidly growing as a strategic lever, reshaping leadership, accelerating nationalization, and enhancing talent retention in the UAE and the Gulf region.
- Sustainability and ESG integration are high on the agenda for UAE CEOs, with a majority of leadership programs expected to include environmental, social, and governance (ESG) modules by 2030.
- Transformation and innovation blending insurance with other sectors, supporting new business models and regulatory approaches, are key priorities for CEOs in the financial and insurance sectors.
- CEOs in the UAE are emphasizing AI's role in improving reliability and accountability in carbon emissions reduction efforts, underlining sustainability combined with technological innovation as a priority.
