Artificial intelligence is pushing businesses to reconsider how work gets done, with new research cited by Gulf News indicating that 78% of business leaders believe their organisations must fundamentally redesign processes to remain competitive.
The finding was reported by Gulf News on October 22, 2026, in an interview with Stefan Vaerenbergh-Dubois, Camunda’s vice president for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. The discussion centred on the challenges companies face when introducing AI into existing business systems without changing the processes around them.
For UAE businesses investing in digital transformation, the issue is increasingly practical: deploying AI software is only one part of the task. Companies also need to decide which activities technology can handle, where employees must retain control and how different systems will work together.
Why introducing AI tools may not be enough
Many businesses rely on separate systems for customer records, financial transactions, internal approvals and service delivery. Introducing an AI assistant into one part of this structure does not automatically resolve delays or information gaps elsewhere.
Camunda’s perspective, as presented in the Gulf News interview, is that companies should examine complete business processes rather than treating AI as an isolated technology project. A customer request, for example, may pass through several departments before it is resolved. If information remains scattered across platforms, an AI tool may struggle to provide a reliable, complete answer.
This creates a distinction between automating an individual task and redesigning an entire workflow. The former can save time at a particular step; the latter may change how information moves, who makes decisions and how a service reaches its final outcome.
Research published by Gartner in April 2026 offers a broader indication of the scale of the expected change. Its survey of 469 CEOs and other senior business executives found that 80% anticipated a moderate to high degree of change in their organisations’ operational capabilities because of AI. The survey was conducted over three quarters, ending in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Although the Gartner and Camunda findings come from different research, both point towards a shift in how businesses approach AI: its potential value depends on changes to the way organisations operate, not simply on access to new software.
Human oversight remains important as AI takes action
AI systems can do more than generate text or summarise information. Depending on their design and permissions, they can also update records, recommend actions or initiate the next stage of a process.
That capability makes accountability essential. Businesses need clear rules governing what an AI system can access, which actions it can take independently and which decisions require approval from an employee.
The distinction matters most when an automated action could affect a customer’s finances, personal information or access to an important service. Organisations must also be able to investigate why a system produced a particular result and identify who is responsible if something goes wrong.
Traditional automation remains suitable for predictable tasks governed by clear rules, while AI may be more useful when information varies or a request requires interpretation. Human judgement remains necessary where consequences are serious or circumstances call for individual assessment.
The objective is not to automate every activity. It is to assign work to the appropriate combination of software, AI and people.
What the shift means for UAE companies
The UAE has established a national direction for AI adoption through its UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and related government initiatives. The official government portal identifies economic competitiveness, improved services, talent development and effective governance among the priorities associated with the country’s AI ambitions.
For companies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates, the practical challenge is turning that wider direction into measurable improvements in everyday operations.
A business introducing AI into customer service, for instance, may need to connect customer records, service histories and escalation procedures before the technology can resolve requests effectively. A company using AI in finance may need clearer approval limits, access controls and checks on the accuracy of generated information.
These are operational considerations rather than evidence that every UAE business faces the same requirements. The appropriate approach will depend on the sector, the sensitivity of the information involved and the level of independence granted to the AI system.
The UAE government’s Charter for the Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence also identifies privacy, data security, transparency, accountability and responsible use as important principles. These considerations are relevant when businesses plan how AI systems should operate and how their decisions should be monitored.
Redesigning processes will take time
The Gulf News interview also cited research indicating that 82% of organisations expect adapting their most important processes for AI to take up to five years. That figure should be understood as a reported expectation, not a guarantee that transformation will take that long for every company.
The timeline reflects the breadth of the work involved. Organisations may need to review legacy systems, improve the quality of their data, train employees and establish governance arrangements before expanding AI beyond limited trials.
Leaders also need a way to assess whether these changes are delivering results. Faster processing, fewer errors, improved customer response times and reduced manual work can provide useful measures, depending on the objective of each project.
Simply counting the number of AI tools purchased or employees given access to them will not establish whether a business has improved its operations.
For UAE companies, the next stage of AI adoption will therefore involve decisions about processes, people and accountability alongside technology investment. The organisations best positioned to benefit will need to understand not only what AI can do, but also how their business should work when it becomes part of the process.
1. What percentage of business leaders say AI requires process redesign?
According to the research cited in the October 22, 2026, Gulf News report, 78% of business leaders believe their organisations need to fundamentally redesign processes to remain competitive.
2. Why do businesses need to redesign operations for AI?
AI tools cannot automatically resolve inefficient workflows or disconnected systems. Businesses may need to improve data access, approvals, coordination between departments and decision-making processes to obtain practical benefits.
3. What does AI adoption mean for UAE businesses?
It means evaluating how AI can improve business processes, customer services and productivity while addressing workforce training, data protection and accountability. The appropriate approach depends on each organisation’s operations and risk profile.
4. Who is Stefan Vaerenbergh-Dubois?
Stefan Vaerenbergh-Dubois is identified in the Gulf News report as Camunda’s vice president for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. He discussed AI integration and business process transformation in an interview with the publication.
5. Will AI replace traditional business automation?
Not necessarily. Traditional automation remains useful for predictable, rules-based tasks, while AI can support work involving variable information or interpretation. Many businesses will use a combination of AI, conventional automation and human judgement.
6. Why is human oversight important in AI systems?
Human oversight helps businesses manage sensitive decisions, investigate errors and establish accountability. Organisations should define which actions AI can perform independently and which require employee approval.
7. How long could AI-related process redesign take?
The Gulf News report cites a finding that 82% of organisations expect adapting their most important processes for AI to take up to five years. This is a reported expectation, not a universal implementation timeline.
8. What is the UAE government’s approach to AI?
The UAE’s AI strategy promotes AI adoption, economic competitiveness, improved services, talent development and effective governance. The government also publishes guidance addressing responsible AI use, privacy and security.
