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tools only deliver value when employees are equipped to use them , there is also a strong focus on employee enablement and skills development .
The analysis underscores the importance of foundational elements like data architecture modernisation and a mature data management strategy , as these are crucial for successful AI integration . Overall , the investments are aligned with enhancing business outcomes , reflecting a balanced approach that combines technological advancement with the necessary human and structural support .
According to the study , finance , IT operations , and customer experience have emerged as the key business functions driving the majority of AI investments , reflecting their strategic importance in enhancing operational efficiency , innovation , and customer engagement . It is worth noting , however , that respondents indicated strong investment plans across all business functions .
Protecting sensitive data is important , and AI systems , like any on-premises and public cloud services , should be secured properly . Organisations in the region often highlight that unclear privacy , security , and sovereignty requirements in existing regulations , along with uncertainty about upcoming regulations , hinder adoption of emerging technologies .
It is also important to note that some organisations may lack the internal expertise to fully understand in terms of how they should secure their technology systems .
In such cases , leveraging high-quality commercial public cloud data centres , whether within or outside the country , becomes an attractive option , as they provide advanced security and privacy features that may surpass what organisations can achieve on their own .
Majority of organisations emphasized the need for a regulatory framework to guide AI use case adoption across both critical and non-critical workloads , providing clarity for technology suppliers and IT buyers on how to address uncertainties surrounding missioncritical AI use cases and sensitive data , particularly considering regional and cultural nuances .
They also stress the importance of avoiding
overregulation , which could stifle innovation . Strict data residency requirements , for example , may limit organisations ’ access to advanced public cloud-based AI technologies offered through global cloud data centres , reducing a country ’ s global competitiveness . p
According to the study , finance , IT operations , and customer experience have emerged as key business functions driving the majority of AI investments .
Source : Unlocking the full potential of AI in the Middle East by IDC and AWS
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