70% of UAE Professionals Use AI Daily as IBPC Dubai’s TechPulse MEA 2026 Addresses Governance and Business Risks in Enterprise Transformation
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into modern enterprises has transitioned from mere experimentation to a pivotal operational layer, accompanied by new governance, cybersecurity, and business risks. This was the focal point of TechPulse MEA 2026, organized by the Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC Dubai).
The exclusive Technology, Digital & Innovation (TDI) Focus Group initiative convened senior technology leaders, C-suite executives, AI specialists, and digital transformation experts to evaluate the AI and technology trends anticipated to reshape organizations across the Middle East over the next 15 months. A significant emphasis was placed on balancing innovation with risk management.
Karthik Raman, Convenor of the TDI Focus Group at IBPC Dubai and Chief Revenue Officer at RevDau, opened the event by tracing the evolution of technology from the internet and cloud computing to automation and AI. He remarked on the transformative nature of AI, stating that while technology has historically enhanced human capabilities, AI is now fundamentally altering decision-making processes. He posed a critical question for organizations: which part of their business will learn next?
Raman underscored that TechPulse MEA aims to guide business leaders in understanding technology investment trends, identifying potential risks, and making strategic decisions essential for long-term competitiveness.
In her keynote address, Aditi Nitin, Senior Partner for Data & AI at Deloitte Middle East, highlighted the UAE’s rapid adoption of enterprise AI. She referenced research indicating that 70% of professionals in the UAE utilize AI daily, a stark contrast to the global average of 18%. Nitin noted that organizations are swiftly transitioning from pilot projects to large-scale deployments. However, she emphasized that sustainable adoption hinges on robust governance, reliable data, workforce reskilling, and responsible AI frameworks.
Nitin also presented practical adoption models, such as prompt engineering, AI-native workflows, and enterprise AI copilots, along with a structured 90-day implementation roadmap. She stressed the importance of proactively addressing challenges like data privacy, AI hallucinations, algorithmic bias, and cybersecurity to unlock enterprise value while maintaining trust.
Following the keynote, a panel discussion titled The AI Reshaping: From Ambition to Architecture was moderated by Sameer Makhija, Principal Industry Analyst at Octave. Panelists included Asli Erbas, IBM AI Leader for MEA; Stephen Fernandes, Chief Growth Officer at Planview; and Ranjit Rajan, C-Suite & Board Digital Advisor and author. They discussed how organizations can convert AI ambitions into measurable business outcomes.
The panel explored the shift from digital transformation to enterprise-wide AI transformation, emphasizing that AI is becoming a core business capability rather than a standalone technology. As organizations begin to manage hybrid workforces comprising both employees and AI agents, the panelists concurred that strong governance, executive accountability, and human oversight are vital for mitigating operational, regulatory, and reputational risks while fostering trust.
They also identified resilient digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and supply chain resilience as critical priorities in an increasingly complex global landscape. While AI holds the potential to enhance productivity and decision-making, the panel cautioned that sustainable returns depend on trusted data, clearly defined business objectives, and disciplined governance rather than mere technology adoption. They asserted that boards and executive leadership will play a crucial role in ensuring AI systems remain transparent, auditable, and accountable.
An interactive audience discussion further delved into topics such as AI regulation, data governance, cybersecurity, SME readiness, workforce transformation, and the commercial value of enterprise data, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges businesses face in the region.
Santosh Varghese, Co-Convenor of the TDI Focus Group, concluded the event by emphasizing the scale of the regional opportunity, citing projections that AI could contribute between $96 billion and $100 billion to the UAE economy by 2030. This underscores why AI has become a priority for boardrooms across various industries.
Karthik Raman remarked that TechPulse MEA 2026 exemplifies IBPC Dubai’s commitment to uniting business leaders, innovators, and technology experts to explore the trends shaping the future of enterprises. He noted that competitive advantage will increasingly belong to organizations that effectively integrate AI, data, governance, and human leadership to generate measurable business value.
The inaugural event attracted notable attendees, including IBPC Dubai Chairman Emeritus Suresh Kumar, Vice Chairman Sunil Sinha, Secretary General Dr. Sahitya Chaturvedi, and governing board member Skandan ‘Ramesh’ Mahalingam. This diverse audience reflected a broad cross-section of the business community, including young startup founders, senior consultants, industry veterans, and women entrepreneurs from various sectors.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-07-05 10:14:00 • By the Editorial Desk
