The UAE has retained its position as the world’s leading country for AI adoption, according to the latest Microsoft AI Economy Institute Global AI Diffusion Report.
The report shows that 73.3% of the UAE’s working-age population used generative AI during June 2026, placing the country first among 147 economies measured. Singapore ranked second at 64.3%, while global adoption stood at 18.8%.
The UAE’s adoption rate has continued to rise rapidly, increasing from 70.1% in the first quarter of 2026 to 73.3% in June. The latest figure is more than four times the global average, highlighting the widespread use of generative AI tools across the country.
The strong adoption rate comes alongside extensive investment in AI infrastructure, digital skills and government applications. The UAE has been expanding AI use across public services, workplaces and education, while also developing large-scale initiatives focused on advanced and agentic AI.
The country has also set ambitious government targets for integrating AI into public-sector operations. Abu Dhabi, in particular, is advancing its vision of becoming an AI-native government, with AI applications already being deployed across multiple government entities.
Microsoft’s data shows that AI diffusion is increasing globally, with 18.8% of the world’s working-age population using generative AI in the second quarter of 2026, up from 17.8% in the previous quarter.
The UAE’s continued lead reflects the rapid expansion of AI usage across society and reinforces the country’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem, alongside its investments in infrastructure, talent development and practical AI applications.
