Workday has officially launched its operations in the UAE, establishing a new office in Dubai to support the growing demand for enterprise AI transformation. This move comes as part of the company’s strategy to help organizations modernize their HR and finance functions while leveraging AI for enhanced business value. The announcement was made during an event attended by senior leaders, including Angelique De Vries-Schipperijn, President for EMEA, and Zakaria Haltout, Group Vice President for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa.
Growing Demand for AI in the UAE
According to Workday’s report, Beyond Productivity: Measuring the Real Value of AI in the UAE, 90% of employees in the UAE utilize AI at least weekly, saving an average of 3.6 hours per week. However, they also spend approximately 3.4 hours clarifying or correcting low-quality AI outputs, underscoring the need for human oversight in AI applications. This highlights the dual focus on technology adoption and workforce readiness as organizations transition from AI experimentation to everyday use.
Strategic Investment in Regional Growth
Workday’s expansion into the UAE is part of a broader strategy to establish three regional hubs in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. Haltout emphasized the importance of building a talented team and developing partnerships with local and global systems integrators to enhance market understanding and customer engagement. The company aims to align its efforts with the national agendas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, focusing on cloud, AI, and workforce transformation priorities.
Future Priorities and Recommendations
As Workday looks ahead to 2027, its priorities include strengthening its team, expanding its partner ecosystem, and aligning with the UAE’s ambitious development goals. Haltout advises enterprises to first define clear business use cases before selecting technologies to ensure meaningful value delivery. Change management is also crucial, as organizations must prepare their workforce for the transition to new systems.
Workday’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s digital ambitions reflects the region’s rapid technological evolution and the increasing importance of AI in driving business success. For more insights on this development, visit TahawulTech.
