A recent World Bank report highlights that the United Arab Emirates and Jordan are the most vulnerable in the MENA region when it comes to potential job displacement by artificial intelligence. Because these nations host a higher concentration of cognitive-based roles, their workforces face greater exposure to generative AI compared to lower-income neighbors like Afghanistan and Pakistan. While the threat of substitution affects roughly 10 percent of jobs across the region, the World Bank notes that AI also offers a significant opportunity to boost productivity for 13 to 20 percent of roles—though this outcome remains far from certain.

The UAE, in particular, stands out for its deep integration of AI across a diverse range of sectors, including hospitality, management, and media, a trend driven by its proactive national AI strategies. While the Gulf region is currently seeing the highest economic value derived from AI tools, other nations in the region are struggling with infrastructure gaps and a "brain drain" of talent toward the GCC. Furthermore, the rise of AI is already impacting the gig economy; freelance markets in countries like Pakistan and Egypt have seen a decline in the value and recruitment for tasks that are easily automated, underscoring the uneven landscape of the AI transition.