UAE: 73% of business leaders seek robot decision-makers due to data overload

According to a recent survey conducted by Oracle, a significant 73% of business leaders in the UAE express a preference for robots to make decisions on their behalf. The motivation behind this preference stems from decision distress experienced by 80% of the respondents, wherein they regret, feel guilty about, or question decisions made in the past year. The survey, titled ‘The Decision Dilemma,’ highlights the challenges faced by individuals in the UAE who are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data. This data overload not only damages trust but also complicates decision-making processes, negatively impacting their overall quality of life.

The study, based on responses from 1,000 participants in the UAE, including 500 business leaders and an equal number from the general workforce, reveals that more than half (58%) of the business leaders have refrained from making decisions due to the abundance of data and their lack of trust in its accuracy. The increasing demand for decision-making, both in personal and professional lives, coincides with the difficulty individuals face in navigating through the vast amounts of information available.

Data scientist and author Seth Stephens-Davidowitz emphasize the risks of discarding or disregarding complex and conflicting data in favour of intuition. TK Anand, Executive Vice President at Oracle Analytics, emphasizes the need for businesses to consider comprehensive data inputs when making critical decisions, highlighting the potential consequences of ignoring data.

The findings of the survey indicate a pressing need for individuals and organizations to reevaluate their approach to data and decision-making. The hesitancy, lack of trust, and limited understanding of data revealed in the study call for a proactive shift towards embracing data-driven decision-making processes to enhance outcomes and mitigate risks in both personal and professional domains.