Technological Disruption Is A Priority For Nearly 70% Of UAE CEOs In 2019, According To KPMG’s CEO Outlook Report

Almost 70% of UAE CEOs are actively disrupting their sectors in 2019 by making significant technological advances, from AI to cognitive computing, to grow their business and stay ahead of competition. This is according to the fifth edition of KPMG’s CEO Outlook report, which shows that disruptive technology, economic territorialism and climate change are some of the biggest challenges global and local businesses may be facing today.

Despite 94% of both UAE and global CEOs expressing confidence in their own business’ growth prospects, fewer (63%) feel the same way about the global economy. Age-old businesses appear to have come under increasing threat due to digital disruption, and CEOs are under pressure to rethink their organization’s traditional approach to drive new digital revenue streams.

Sixty three percent of UAE CEOs believe that agility is fundamental for businesses to succeed against a challenging economic backdrop. Eight out of ten UAE CEOs are actively transforming their leadership teams to build resilience and three-quarters of organizations are piloting artificial intelligence (AI) and automating processes. In the wake of increased technological disruption and adoption, over half (57%) of CEOs recognize that a strong cyber strategy is critical to building trust with key stakeholders.

Nader Haffar, Chairman & CEO KPMG Lower Gulf, said: “This year’s KPMG CEO Outlook report shows that UAE CEOs are championing a digital reinvention, while navigating other big issues like economic territorialism and climate change. To weather the challenges that lie ahead, they may have to fundamentally transform their operating models and build an agile, customer-focused and connected enterprise with a strong workforce at the helm.”

Many global and local organizations have recognized that climate change presents one of the biggest challenges today – and CEOs are turning their attention to energy transition to move the world away from a reliance on fossil fuels. In fact, half of UAE CEOs say their organization’s growth will depend on their ability to navigate the shift to a low-carbon, clean-technology economy.

UAE CEOs also recognize they should take advantage of the abundance of opportunities in emerging markets like the Indian subcontinent, China and south-east Asia, given their growing populations, the expansion of their middle classes, and steadily increasing consumption. Overall, 66% of UAE CEOs said their first priority for geographical expansion over the next three years is emerging markets.

“The social, economic and technological headwinds we have seen emerge in recent years are still relevant,” added Haffar. “UAE CEOs today must become disruptors of their own business, and challenge entrenched practices. If they can create an environment where new ideas can be tested and change is encouraged, their organizations stand to benefit tremendously.”