Intelligent Impact: Harnessing AI to Transform Philanthropy in the UAE

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries worldwide, and philanthropy is no exception. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the convergence of AI and philanthropy is beginning to redefine how organizations pursue social change, creating new avenues for impact and innovation.

The enabling environment for this shift is particularly strong. The UAE’s philanthropic sector has been expanding considerably over the past two decades. Building on deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions of giving, institutional philanthropy has become a prominent force, with the state acting as a key driver and facilitator. Parallel to this, the UAE has been positioning itself as a regional and global leader in AI. The UAE AI Strategy 2031 and initiatives such as the establishment of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first AI-focused university, signal the country’s commitment to advancing AI at scale.

As in other geographies, the rapid pace of digital transformation presents significant challenges for organizations. A recent Deloitte (2025) study conducted with MBZUAI found that while more than 80% of organizations in the Middle East, including the UAE, feel compelled to adopt AI, nearly half report insufficient talent and technological capabilities to scale its use successfully. Philanthropic institutions are particularly affected by this gap. Compared to other sectors, AI adoption within philanthropy remains limited, leaving many organizations at risk of falling behind. The ‘AI and philanthropy’ research project from the University of Geneva further underscores this uneven landscape: while some philanthropic entities are at the forefront of AI experimentation and integration, others continue to face difficulties with even the most basic stages of digital transformation. This trend is global, but it is exacerbated in contexts with limited data availability.

Building Local Community Development through AI

The intersection of AI and local community development presents particularly compelling opportunities for philanthropic organizations working at the grassroots level. Research on UAE institutional philanthropy reveals how local foundations play crucial roles in community empowerment and national development, with AI technologies holding the potential to amplify their impact through improved targeting, resource allocation, and impact measurement.

The UAE’s decision to mark 2025 as the ‘Year of Community’ provides a timely framework for embedding AI into community-focused initiatives. Emerging projects already demonstrate how this can be done: AI-powered platforms that connect volunteers with local needs, online giving mechanisms that allow donors to support beneficiaries securely and directly, and programs that empower communities through digital literacy. Such innovations demonstrate how philanthropy can adopt AI in ways that reinforce social cohesion while keeping human relationships at the center of development strategies.

Practical Steps for Philanthropies to Mobilize AI for Intelligent Impact

Building on current thinking about the AI–philanthropy nexus and considering the UAE’s unique context, the recommendations below can help guide the way forward. These are not listed in order of priority; rather, they work best when viewed as part of a broader, interconnected approach.

• Invest in capacity building and training: Philanthropic organizations should prioritize staff development programs that make AI accessible, strengthen digital literacy, and build skills needed for assessing and implementing AI tools effectively. Training should also ensure that adoption aligns with organizational missions and values. While outsourcing may at times be necessary, it should not come at the cost of AI-illiteracy within the organization.
• Promote cultural and linguistic relevance: The growth of Arabic-language AI models and culturally tailored applications across the Gulf highlights the need for solutions designed for local contexts. Philanthropic organizations can play a role by choosing tools that recognize regional dialects, cultural norms, and social dynamics, rather than relying on generic models that may overlook community needs.
• Adopt a phased implementation strategy: Starting with low-risk use cases – such as donor management, process efficiency, or simple impact measurement – allows organizations to gain experience before moving to more advanced applications. This gradual approach helps build internal confidence, refine governance frameworks, and minimize risks to beneficiaries and institutional credibility.
• Keep AI human-centered: AI should enhance, not replace, human judgment. This is especially the case in areas involving social impact. Clear guidelines, regular human oversight, and strong accountability measures are essential to ensure that technology remains a tool for improving lives, with beneficiary wellbeing as the ultimate priority.

Advancing Innovation, with Purpose

As philanthropic organizations continue to work towards the integration of AI into their operations, the focus must remain on enhancing human connections rather than replacing them. The UAE can position itself in the region not just as a technology hub, but as a laboratory for responsible AI applications in philanthropy. Through continued investment in infrastructure, talent development, and ethical frameworks, the UAE can help shape a blueprint for how AI can serve humanity's most pressing social needs while preserving the cultural values and community connections that make philanthropy meaningful.