Nearly all data leaders in the UAE (94%) admit they lack full visibility into how AI systems make decisions, according to the Global AI Confessions Report: Data Leaders Edition by Dataiku, The Universal AI Platform. The study, conducted by The Harris Poll for Dataiku, surveyed more than 800 senior data executives across eight countries. It revealed rising governance risks and overconfidence in enterprise AI across the Emirates.

The report was released as the UAE accelerates its ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence under the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. However, the findings highlight a tension between rapid innovation and responsible oversight. Only 17% of UAE respondents said they always require AI systems to “show their work,” showing limited explainability in enterprise AI.

Furthermore, 62% of UAE data leaders are not confident their organisation’s AI systems could pass a basic audit of their decisions. Yet, only half have delayed or blocked the deployment of an AI agent over explainability concerns. Despite these gaps, 72% said they would still trust AI agents to make autonomous decisions in critical business workflows, even without clear explanations, suggesting that AI adoption may be advancing faster than governance practices.

The AI Confessions Report also revealed that this behaviour could stem from misaligned expectations between data leaders and top management. Almost six in ten (59%) respondents said their C-suite overestimates the accuracy of AI systems, while 64% believe leadership underestimates the time and complexity required to make AI production-ready.

• 32% have been asked to approve an AI initiative that made them uncomfortable
• 75% said their company’s AI strategy is driven more by technological ambition than business outcomes

The research also indicated that UAE data leaders perceive fewer consequences of AI failure compared to their global peers. While 56% of global respondents expect a CEO to be ousted by 2026 due to AI-related issues, only 35% of UAE respondents shared that belief. Over half (53%) said they do not feel their own job is at risk if their company fails to achieve measurable business gains from AI within the next two years, reflecting the highest level of perceived job security worldwide.

Florian Douetteau, Co-founder and CEO of Dataiku, said the AI Confessions Report shows that many enterprises in the UAE are relying on AI systems they do not fully trust. “The encouraging news is that governance challenges such as explainability and traceability can be overcome. The more organisations focus on building responsible, transparent systems, the faster AI will move from hype to tangible business impact,” he said.

The study also revealed that UAE data leaders prioritise the accuracy of AI systems over other factors. 57% named performance reliability as their top priority, while only 10% prioritised cost. Many leaders also exercise caution in applying AI to sensitive business functions.

• 55% said they would never allow AI agents to make hiring or firing decisions
• 48% would exclude AI from handling legal or compliance matters
• 39% would avoid using AI for mental health or employee wellness support

Sid Bhatia, Area Vice President and General Manager for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Dataiku, stated that UAE organisations are leading in AI adoption but must continue prioritising responsible growth. “As regulators in the region explore AI governance frameworks, businesses have an opportunity to get ahead by building internal accountability and strengthening transparency across every stage of the AI lifecycle,” he added.

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