GEC NEWS WIREConsumers in the United Arab Emirates are ready to adopt artificial intelligence (AI)-powered devices and services than consumers in many other countries, according to new findings from the annual research from Accenture.
Based on a poll of 26,000 consumers in 26 countries, the report—the 2017 Accenture Digital Consumer Survey—found that three-fourths of UAE respondents are comfortable with an AI application responding to their query, and more than two thirds have interacted with computer-based applications in the last 12 months. These percentages are significantly higher than the survey’s global averages of 44 percent and 31 percent, respectively. 8 in 10 UAE respondents cited the availability of AI anytime as a key reason they prefer it to human interaction, and three-fourths said AI engagements are faster and more polite than human interactions.
These experiences are spurring demand in the country for smart devices and new technologies. The research identified AR and VR as driving up purchase intent for smartphones, smart glasses and VR headsets. In the UAE, the demand for these technologies now stands at 68 percent, 55 percent and 54 percent, respectively, compared to the averages of 56 percent, 42% and 39%, respectively. The two reasons UAE respondents gave most often for this demand were an interest in learning new skills and techniques using AR and VR and meeting others virtually.
“The fact that more and more UAE consumers are comfortable using voice assistants, gesture control and eye movement on mobile devices and at home is encouraging for the devices and services markets ‒ and is helping make this the year when artificial intelligence goes mainstream,” said Gerardo Canta, who leads Accenture’s Communications, Media & Technology operating group in the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Turkey.”
