UAE Emerges as Global AI Talent Magnet Amid Western Tech Slowdown

A recent publication in the Rest of World (which reports on technology’s global impact beyond the West), covers updates from recent Dubai AI Week 2025 where spotlight was on Ameca, a humanoid robot, smiled and blanked at an intrigued audience.

The event, dedicated to showcasing the UAE’s AI ambitions, featured major announcements, including a $545 million hyperscale data center to support Microsoft operations and the launch of Dubai’s first PhD program in artificial intelligence.

Amid a global tech industry downtown, the UAE is rapidly positioning itself as a major hub for artificial intelligence, drawing in global talent through strategic incentives and ambitious development plans.

Skilled professionals like Nair, AI engineer who recently relocated to Dubai, are increasingly looking to the UAE for career opportunities in AI, citing the region’s growing ecosystem, supportive visa programs and business friendly environment.

“Dubai is emerging as a global AI hub”, Nair told Rest of World, reflecting on her decision to move. “It’s fascinating to see how companies are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible here”

UAE as Global Front in Attracting AI Professionals

The UAE’s Golden Visa program, which grants 10 year residency to skilled professionals, combined with tax free salaries, high pay, and simplified business regulations, is proving highly attractive to international tech talent. According to UAE’s Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq AI Marri, the country now ranks 2nd only to the US in attracting AI professionals.

Strategic partnerships with American tech giants are accelerating the UAE’s AI ambitions. During a recent visit by US President Donald Trump, the UAE secured access to 500,000 advanced Nvidia chips, essential for AI development and announced plans to build the largest AI campus outside the US collaborations such as that between Microsoft and Emirati AI firm G42, with an aim to build a skilled and diverse AI workforce.

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Shrinking Opportunities for Tech Professionals in Western Countries

As opportunities shrink in the West with over 50,000 tech workers laid off in the US, this year alone, according to Layoffs.fyi, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are booming with over 1,200 AI companies actively hiring.

However, the local talent pool has limitations and a 2024 Talent Report by the Ministry Of Economy and Immigration Law Firm Fragomen highlights a surplus of tech professionals in the UAE, but a shortage of those with advanced AI expertise.

About 95% of 50,000 companies surveyed reported hiring from outside the Middle East, particularly from countries like India and Ukraine.

UAE as a Global Migration Hub

“The UAE has become a global migration hub” said Froilan Malit Jr., a migration expert at the American University in Dubai. Professionals from developing nations often give it as a stepping stone to the West, while Western workers enjoy long term residency, high salaries and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. However, wage discrepancies persist, with workers from Global South facing a “citizenship penalty” in pay.

The UAE’s AI push is also drawing senior professionals like Jorkko Moilanen, a Finnish AI expert to move to Abu Dhabi in 2022 and has since applied for a Golden Visa. He praised the country's AI focused policies and plans to launch a business, citing the fast execution pace and abundant capital. “The AI and data combination here is hot,” he affirmed.

Explore the In-Demand Jobs in UAE and the Benefits of Working in the Emirates

UAE’s Initiatives for AI Advancement

Government bank initiatives like Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Future Accelerators, and Sandbox by Oraseya Capital, are fostering a thriving startup environment. Entrepreneur Nidima Kohli, who moved from Luxembourg and launched The AI Accelerator, praised Dubai’s safety, international culture, and ease of networking and business centre. “The UAE is putting money where its mouth is, they want to grow and not stifle innovation” she stated.

However, challenges remain for junior professionals from South Asia, for example AI engineer Nair, like many others, has encountered exploitative job offers and scams on platforms like LinkedIn, including fake recruiters demanding certification fees and employers offering poor working conditions. Still, she remains optimistic. I'm excited about the opportunity to learn, love and make a meaningful impact here.

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