The United Arab Emirates could experience significant changes in its labor market over the coming years as artificial intelligence becomes more widely used across the economy. According to ServiceNow, more than 1.03 million jobs are expected to be created in the UAE by 2030 as AI agents are increasingly integrated into business and government operations.
AI agents are software systems designed to carry out tasks, respond to inputs, and support decision making. As these systems become more capable and more common, organizations are beginning to incorporate them into everyday workflows. This shift is expected to influence how work is performed across multiple sectors.
The projection from ServiceNow adds to an ongoing global debate about the impact of AI on employment. While some concerns focus on job displacement, the estimate points to the potential for job creation linked to the adoption of new technologies. It suggests that AI could contribute to economic activity that supports new roles, even as it changes existing ones.
At this stage, it is not possible to fully define what these future jobs will look like. However, they are likely to be connected to the development, implementation, and use of AI systems. Some roles may involve building and maintaining AI tools, while others may focus on overseeing how these systems are applied in practice. In many cases, existing jobs may be reshaped as workers begin to use AI as part of their daily tasks.
Commenting on the shift, Frank Palermo, COO of NewRocket, said the scale of change will extend far beyond traditional technical roles. “The rise of more than one million AI-driven roles in the UAE signals that the future of work isn’t about creating a narrow class of AI specialists, but about embedding intelligence into everyday business functions. The next wave of job creation won’t be confined to just data scientists or AI engineers, but will emerge across the core of the enterprise. Roles will rapidly expand in IT service management, cyber security, workflow automation, and digital operations, as organizations embed AI into how work actually gets done.”
The scale of job creation will depend on several factors. One key factor is the pace at which organizations adopt AI technologies. Businesses that move quickly to integrate AI into their operations may create demand for new skills sooner than others. Another factor is how well the workforce is prepared to adapt. Access to training and education may influence how easily workers can transition into new or evolving roles.
The UAE has positioned itself as a country that supports digital transformation. AI has been identified as an important part of its broader economic strategy. As a result, the country may be more likely to see the effects of AI adoption reflected in its labor market. However, the outcome will still depend on how these technologies are implemented in practice.
It is also important to note that projections such as the one from ServiceNow are based on current trends and assumptions. They are not guarantees of future outcomes. Economic conditions, policy decisions, and technological developments could all influence the final results. For this reason, the estimate should be viewed as an indication of potential change rather than a fixed prediction.
The discussion around AI and jobs is likely to continue as the technology develops. For policymakers, businesses, and workers, the focus may increasingly shift toward understanding how to manage this transition. This includes considering how to support workers as their roles change and how to ensure that the benefits of technological progress are widely shared.
As 2030 approaches, the UAE may serve as an example of how AI adoption can shape a national labor market. The estimate of more than one million new jobs highlights the scale of the potential shift. Whether this outcome is realized will depend on how technology, policy, and workforce readiness come together in the years ahead.
