Middle Eastern CEOs are pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into their businesses at a faster rate than global counterparts, according to PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey. 82% of Middle East business leaders report that their organizational culture actively encourages AI adoption, with 70% having established clear AI implementation roadmaps. This contrasts sharply with global averages, indicating a uniquely proactive approach to AI integration in the region.
Strong Adoption in Customer-Facing Roles
The survey reveals that AI is being deployed most effectively in areas directly impacting revenue and customer experience. Nearly 40% of Middle Eastern CEOs have already implemented AI in demand generation, customer service, and support functions, well above the global benchmark. Moreover, over one-third have integrated AI directly into their core product or service offerings, a figure significantly higher than the fewer than 20% observed globally.
This trend reflects a pragmatic strategy: AI tools are proving most valuable where data is abundant, use cases are clear, and return on investment is rapid. Specifically, 39% of Middle East CEOs and 43% of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders report extensive AI use in sales, marketing, and customer service, compared to just 22% globally.
Regional Confidence and Investment
The region’s leadership also expresses strong confidence in future economic growth. 88% of Middle East CEOs anticipate economic strengthening, rising to 93% within the GCC. This optimism fuels investment: nearly three-quarters of planned overseas investments by Middle Eastern firms will remain within the region.
Middle Eastern businesses have already demonstrated strong financial performance, reporting 12% average revenue growth – exceeding the global average of 8%. 79% of CEOs plan a major acquisition in the next three years, with a clear focus on expanding capabilities and entering new markets.
Data Access Remains a Key Challenge
Despite rapid adoption, a significant bottleneck remains: only 29% of Middle East CEOs believe their AI tools have complete access to the necessary data. Data silos, outdated legacy systems, and governance restrictions continue to hinder AI’s full potential. This limitation is not unique to the region, as the global average is slightly lower at 22%, but remains a critical area for improvement.
Workforce Readiness and Talent Availability
The Middle East also demonstrates high confidence in its ability to attract skilled AI talent, with 59% of CEOs reporting access to high-quality technical expertise. This positions the region to capitalize on the growing demand for AI professionals as national strategies prioritize AI-driven economic growth.
The Middle East is not simply adopting AI, it’s strategically embedding it into business operations at an unprecedented pace. The region’s forward-thinking leadership and strong economic confidence are driving this rapid transformation.
The findings build upon previous PwC surveys, which in 2025 showed 93% of GCC CEOs predicting full AI integration within three years. This latest data confirms those predictions are being realized, with nearly 40% now extensively deploying AI in key revenue-generating areas.
