UAE IT Leaders Expanding Teams Amidst Tech Skill Surge

In a recent survey conducted in the UAE, it was found that 80% of IT leaders intend to expand their technology teams within the next 12 months due to the increasing demand for tech skills. This survey, part of the Equinix 2023 Global Tech Trends Survey, collected insights from 2,900 IT decision-makers worldwide regarding the challenges and opportunities shaping businesses. This trend comes after a year of significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), with the technology finding rapid application in both the business-to-business and business-to-consumer sectors.

According to Milind Wagle, Chief Information Officer at Equinix, “The role of IT has evolved from being a back-end function to a critical business enabler. This transformation underscores the urgent need for IT professionals to possess not only technical expertise but also well-rounded business acumen and softer skills. With automation and AI handling routine IT infrastructure management tasks, IT talent can now focus on delivering high-value business growth outcomes.”

The rapid advancement of technology, especially the proliferation of advanced AI systems and generative AI, has placed greater demands on IT teams. This has prompted concerns about the capacity of existing IT teams to meet these new requirements. As technology and related business needs continue to progress, it is unsurprising that a diverse range of IT skills is required to ensure the resilience and adaptability of teams at the forefront of this technological evolution. Globally, 57% of IT decision-makers reported an increase in their team sizes over the past two years. Particularly sought-after skills include AI and machine learning, while IT leaders are planning to reduce their focus on hardware engineering (25%) and data analysis (24%).

Kamel Al-Tawil, Managing Director of Equinix MENA, emphasized, “AI is being integrated into various business functions in the UAE, from IT Operations and cybersecurity to sales. This widespread adoption is reshaping the IT and operations landscape, elevating its role from a backend operation to a pivotal driver of business success. As automation and AI continue to transform routine IT infrastructure management, these innovations empower IT professionals to direct their efforts towards fostering high-impact business advancements.”

The survey confirmed that the adoption of AI is on the rise across all industry sectors, with 85% of respondents worldwide either using AI or planning to use it across multiple key functions. In the UAE, businesses are most likely to employ AI in IT operations (97%) and cybersecurity (95%). To keep pace with the growing reliance on IT, organizations must prioritize IT in their future planning and strategies. As IT systems evolve, so does the workforce supporting them. Data indicates that IT teams are expanding rapidly and will continue to do so to meet the demand for crucial system operations and security.