## Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Enhancing Countries' Preparedness

_IMF News, February 3, 2026_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Enhancing Countries' Preparedness](https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/02/03/sp-md-leveraging-artificial-intelligence-and-enhancing-countries-preparedness)

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## Bibliographic details
- Published: February 3, 2026

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### Overview
- Remarks by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva at the World Government Summit, Dubai, UAE, February 3, 2026.
- Emphasis on the UAE and GCC as fast-growing global AI hubs with significant investments in human capital and partnerships with major tech firms.
- Note: A recent Microsoft study reports that 64 percent of the UAE’s working age population uses AI, which is the highest rate globally.

### Key findings and projections
- AI could fuel a boost to global productivity of up to 0.8 percentage points per year.
- This productivity boost could raise global growth to levels exceeding those of the pre-pandemic period.
- In the Gulf region, AI could boost non-oil GDP in Gulf countries by up to 2.8 percent.
- Countries with stronger digital infrastructure, more skilled labor forces, and robust regulatory frameworks are likely to experience the largest and fastest benefits from AI adoption.

### Labor market impacts
- On average, 40 percent of jobs globally will be impacted by AI—either upgraded or eliminated or transformed.
- For advanced economies, 60 percent of jobs will be affected.
- About one in 10 job postings in advanced economies now require at least one new skill.
- Workers with in-demand skills will likely see productivity and wage gains, potentially increasing employment and wages among low-skilled workers.
- Middle-skilled jobs will be squeezed.
- Young people and the middle class will be hit hardest.

### Policy recommendations
- Macro policies
  - Fiscal policies can support AI-driven investment and innovation by strengthening tax systems and by funding research, reskilling, or sector-based training programs.
  - Tax systems should not encourage automation at the expense of people.
  - Effective financial regulation is essential to ensure financial market efficiency and improved risk management.
- Guardrails
  - AI needs to be regulated to ensure it is safe, fair, and trustworthy—but regulation must avoid stifling innovation.
  - Countries are adopting different approaches, ranging from risk-based frameworks to high-level principles.
  - Coordination across countries on regulatory approaches is critical.
- Cooperation and partnerships
  - Scale is a big advantage in AI and requires cooperation among governments, AI researchers and developers.
  - Cooperation is particularly important for data sharing and knowledge transfer.

### Regional implications for the UAE and GCC
- High AI adoption in the UAE illustrates regional dynamism and justifies major investments and partnerships by global tech companies.
- For economies dependent on hydrocarbon exports, AI presents an enormous opportunity to diversify and build new sources of growth.

### Conclusion
- AI will transform economies, presenting immense opportunities and significant risks.
- Success in translating AI’s promise into broad-based prosperity will largely depend on the policy regimes countries put in place and on international cooperation.

*Source: Remarks by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva — "Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Enhancing Countries' Preparedness", World Government Summit, Dubai, UAE, February 3, 2026.*

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## References

- [https://www.imf.org/en/about/senior-officials/bios/kristalina-georgieva](https://www.imf.org/en/about/senior-officials/bios/kristalina-georgieva)
- [United Arab Emirates and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/ARE/index.htm)
- [Speeches](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)
- [PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)
- [https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/02/03/sp-md-leveraging-artificial-intelligence-and-enhancing-countries-preparedness_