Gulf Business · 16 Oct, 04:09 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

AI could unlock more than $1tn in MENA value by 2030, shows new WEF and Bain report

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

25–40%salary premium for professionals with applied AI skills

11xgrowth in AI job adverts since 2019

66%of leaders won't hire without AI literacy

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A joint report by the World Economic Forum and Bain & Company projects that artificial intelligence could generate over one trillion dollars in additional economic value for the Middle East and North Africa region by 2030. This forecast highlights the transformative potential of AI adoption across key sectors within MENA. The analysis suggests that strategic implementation of these technologies will significantly boost productivity and efficiency. For professionals operating in this region, the data underscores an urgent shift towards digital integration. Understanding these macroeconomic trends is essential for anticipating market changes and identifying emerging opportunities in the evolving regional business landscape.

Employer demand for AI Strategy skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This projection signals a structural shift in the MENA labour market, making AI literacy a non-negotiable career asset. Roles requiring data interpretation, algorithmic oversight, and strategic digital integration will see heightened demand. You must move beyond passive awareness to active competency. If you are in management, you need to understand how to deploy AI tools ethically and efficiently. If you are in technical fields, specialising in data science or AI strategy becomes critical. A smart professional immediately audits their current skill set against these emerging requirements. Begin upskilling in relevant technical domains or strategic frameworks today. Network with peers exploring these technologies and seek projects that allow you to demonstrate practical AI application, ensuring you remain competitive in a rapidly evolving economic environment.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI Strategy, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.