How are UAE small businesses tackling AI and automation right now?

​Hey everyone,

​There is a ton of global noise about AI "changing everything," but I wanted to check in with the local community here. As small business owners in the UAE, how are you actually approaching AI and digital transformation in your day-to-day operations?

​With the UAE pushing hard to become a global hub for AI, it feels like there’s a massive gap between what the enterprise-level companies are doing and what is actually practical (and affordable) for a small-to-medium business.

​Are you actively looking into customized workflows to automate your operations—like logistics tracking, automated customer retention, or predictive inventory management?

Or are you sticking to standard out-of-the-box tools (like basic ChatGPT) for now?

​For those who want to modernize their operations but haven't yet, what is the biggest roadblock holding you back?

​Is it the upfront cost?

​Not knowing where to start or who to trust?

​Or just not having the time to overhaul your current setup?

​Would love to hear your experiences, what’s actually working for your business, and where you feel you need the most help. Let’s talk!