Generative AI (GenAI) and AI are set to revolutionize industries in the future, according to recent research by Dell Technologies Innovation Catalyst Research. The study found that while there is widespread optimism for AI and GenAI, the level of preparedness among organizations varies greatly. In the UAE, 90% of respondents believe they are well-positioned competitively with a solid strategy, but 51% are uncertain about the future of their industry in the next three to five years. Challenges cited include lack of talent, data privacy concerns, cybersecurity issues, and budget constraints.
Respondents recognize the potential of GenAI to deliver value in IT security, productivity gains, and customer experience improvement. However, they also express concerns about new security and privacy issues that may arise with GenAI implementation. A majority of respondents agree that their data and intellectual property are too valuable to be placed in a GenAI tool where third parties may have access. As organizations move from ideation to implementation, 58% have already begun implementing GenAI, with concerns arising around understanding risks and responsibilities.
Walid Yehia, managing director of Dell Technologies UAE, emphasized the significant technological leap that GenAI represents and the potential it has to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and create new opportunities across industries. Cybersecurity remains a major concern, with 93% of respondents reporting being impacted by a security attack in the past year. The majority are pursuing a zero-trust deployment strategy and have Incident Response Plans in place to recover from cyberattacks or data leakage.
The top cybersecurity issues cited include malware, phishing, and data breaches, with employee behavior identified as a key factor in the threat landscape. Many respondents believe that employees circumvent IT security guidelines to boost efficiency, indicating a need for training to enhance cybersecurity awareness. Modern data infrastructure plays a critical role as data volumes increase and GenAI technologies advance, with investments in scalable infrastructure identified as a top area for improvement to accelerate innovation.
Organizations are recognizing the importance of sharing data across the business to support innovation efforts, with only 31% saying they can turn data into real-time insights currently. However, 79% of respondents agree that data is a key differentiator, and their GenAI strategy must focus on using and protecting that data. Additionally, nearly half anticipate that the majority of their data will come from the edge in the next five years, highlighting the evolving nature of data management in the era of GenAI and AI.
