UAE Technology Partners Predict Significant Revenue Shift to AI, With Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Customer Experience as Key Drivers
DUBAI – Cisco, the global leader in networking and security, has shared insights from its latest Cisco Global AI Partners Study, which highlights a major shift towards AI-driven revenue for IT partners worldwide. Titled Bridging the Customer AI Readiness Gap – The Opportunities Ahead for Partners, the study reveals that over a quarter (26%) of surveyed partners in the UAE expect AI technologies to generate 76-100% of their revenue over the next four to five years.
The study forecasts a substantial 75% increase in demand for AI technologies in the UAE over this period, with infrastructure (26%), cybersecurity (26%), and sustainability management (11%) identified as the key drivers of AI adoption. In the short term, 37% of partners predict AI will account for 26-50% of their revenue within the next year, and this share is expected to rise in the long term.
Cisco’s findings underscore the UAE’s growing reliance on AI, with infrastructure, cybersecurity, and customer experience seen as the primary areas where AI will generate the most revenue opportunities. Additionally, the study highlights the confidence of local partners in deploying AI solutions, with many investing in upskilling their teams to meet the growing demand for AI expertise.
“AI is becoming a core driver of business transformation across the UAE and the wider region,” said Cisco. “The findings of this study emphasize significant opportunities for our partners to lead AI adoption, driving innovation and supporting businesses in realizing AI’s full potential.”
The Cisco Global AI Partners Study surveyed over 1,500 IT partners in 29 markets and aligns with Cisco’s AI Readiness Index, which found that many businesses globally are not fully prepared for AI adoption, particularly in infrastructure, data management, and talent. The study underscores the critical role that IT partners play in helping businesses close these gaps.
Despite their strong confidence in AI knowledge, partners identified challenges such as inexperience with new technologies (69%), lack of understanding of systems and processes (51%), and insufficient access to technologies (46%) as obstacles. To overcome these challenges, 74% of partners are investing in employee training, either through internal programs or by inviting external specialists to provide AI-focused training.
