Generative AI is taking on a surprisingly personal role in the lives of UAE consumers, with many now viewing it as a companion — even a confidant — capable of offering not just recommendations, but emotional guidance and everyday decision-making.
According to the 2025 Consumer Pulse Research by global consulting firm Accenture, 72 percent of consumers are already using generative AI tools regularly, with interactions extending beyond simple tasks. In the UAE, the emotional bond with AI is deepening, with 94 percent of active users saying they have asked or would consider asking AI for help with personal development, and 87 percent for advice on relationships and social matters.
“Gen AI is becoming an integral part of our lives,” the report noted, emphasizing how these tools now feel “more like a friend” to users. The research surveyed 18,000 individuals across 14 countries, including the UAE, and found strong global momentum in AI adoption.
In a significant shift, 75 percent of consumers in the UAE expressed openness to letting AI make purchases for them, effectively trusting digital agents to act on their behalf — a development that could redefine consumerism.
“As AI becomes more emotionally intelligent, it can foster meaningful relationships with consumers like never before,” Accenture stated, pointing to a future where AI doesn’t just support decision-making, but executes tasks autonomously — from product comparisons to checkout and post-sale support.
The report also highlighted examples of AI providing both emotional and physical aid, such as robotic assistants in pharmacies helping elderly patients at home.
The UAE continues to lead in AI integration. The country has already made history by appointing the first Minister of AI and establishing the world’s first AI university. Stanford University ranked the UAE fifth globally in its Global AI Vibrancy Index in 2023, outpacing nations like Germany, Japan, and Singapore.
“From healthcare to transportation, AI is rapidly moving from the lab to daily life,” the report concluded — a sentiment that’s increasingly reflected in how UAE residents are embracing AI as not just a tool, but a trusted partner.
