The UAE’s banking sector has reinforced its position as a regional leader in artificial intelligence, with several of the country’s major lenders ranking among the most AI-mature financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
According to the 2026 Evident AI Index for Banks – MEA Edition, three UAE banks have secured places among the region’s top 10 most advanced banks in AI adoption and implementation, led by Emirates NBD.
The ranking highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in transforming banking operations, customer service, cybersecurity, and financial decision-making across the Gulf region.
UAE banks lead regional AI transformation
Among the top-performing institutions featured in the index are Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), and Mashreq.
Other banks included in the regional top 10 list are Standard Bank Group, Nedbank Group, FirstRand, Capitec Bank, Absa Group, Bank Leumi, and Al Rajhi Bank.
The Evident AI Index assessed 25 major banks across the Middle East and Africa, measuring their progress in areas such as:
- AI talent and workforce development
- Long-term investment in AI innovation and research
- Leadership commitment to artificial intelligence
- Responsible AI governance and implementation
- Deployment of AI-driven products and services
Emirates NBD highlights AI-first strategy
Shayne Nelson, Group Chief Executive Officer of Emirates NBD, said the bank’s approach focuses on embedding artificial intelligence throughout its operations and culture.
He noted that AI investments are helping simplify customer experiences while empowering employees with advanced technology tools.
The bank plans to continue investing in innovation, talent development, and AI-driven transformation as part of its strategy to strengthen its leadership position in regional banking.
AI driving smarter banking services
Banks across the UAE are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence to improve customer engagement and operational efficiency.
Key areas of implementation include:
- Smart digital onboarding systems
- AI-powered customer service platforms
- Personalised banking experiences
- Advanced fraud detection
- Risk assessment and analytics
- Operational automation
These initiatives align with broader UAE and GCC ambitions to become global leaders in digital transformation and artificial intelligence adoption.
GCC banks investing billions in AI
Alexandra Mousavizadeh, Co-Founder and CEO of Evident, said Gulf banks are currently operating within a highly competitive environment where early AI adoption could provide significant long-term advantages.
She noted that institutions investing today in infrastructure, talent, strategic partnerships, and large-scale AI deployment are likely to strengthen their competitive position over time.
According to industry estimates from Precedence Research, GCC countries had collectively invested more than $30 billion in AI-related projects by early 2025, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia accounting for the majority of spending.
Cybersecurity emerges as a major AI priority
Artificial intelligence is also becoming a critical component of cybersecurity strategies within the banking industry.
Colin Gilbert, Vice President of Intelligence at Evident Insights, said many financial institutions now view cybersecurity as one of the strongest business cases for AI investment.
As banks increasingly move customer onboarding, payments, lending, and other services to digital platforms, the potential attack surface for cyber threats continues to expand.
Gilbert noted that cybersecurity is no longer viewed solely as a compliance requirement but has become a key driver of AI adoption across the financial sector.
With digital banking accelerating across the GCC, AI is expected to play an increasingly important role in protecting customer data, detecting threats, improving operational efficiency, and delivering more personalised banking experiences.
As competition intensifies, the UAE’s leading banks appear well positioned to remain at the forefront of the region’s AI-powered financial transformation.
