4 days ago
Middle East businesses embrace AI-powered analytics to drive smarter decisions
Karl Crowther, vice president at Alteryx MEA and APAC/Image: Supplied
Across the Middle East, organisations are increasingly leveraging AI-powered analytics to boost operational efficiency and accelerate decision-making. Karl Crowther, vice president at Alteryx MEA and APAC, explains that modern analytics platforms are bridging the gap between governance, flexibility, and innovation.
'Traditionally, businesses have had to choose between governance, flexibility, and innovation, but that's changing. Newer solutions now bring together low-code/no-code analytics, AI assistance, and strong governance in a single, centrally managed environment, allowing more teams to access insights securely and at scale,' Crowther says. 'In fact, Alteryx research shows that 94 per cent of analysts say their role now directly influences strategic decisions.'
Future-proofing businesses with analytics and automation
As markets become more data-driven and digitally connected, analytics and automation are central to future-proofing businesses. 'It's no longer just about analyzing the past; it's about scaling insights and acting on them in real time,' Crowther notes. Organisations are seeking both flexibility and AI readiness, combining intelligent automation with collaborative, enterprise-ready platforms to stay ahead of the rapid pace of AI innovation.
The public sector, he adds, is approaching analytics differently. 'Governments in the region are using these tools to improve services, increase transparency, and make better decisions. For instance, Abu Dhabi plans to be the world's first fully AI-native government across all digital services by 2027. As they adopt AI, there's a strong focus on governance, security, and following regulations like GDPR.'
Upskilling for a data-fluent workforce
With demand for data fluency growing, organisations are taking a broader approach to upskilling, empowering entire teams rather than a handful of specialists. 'Yet challenges like data integration and quality issues continue to slow progress, especially as businesses move to the cloud. In fact, our recent survey found that nearly half of data analysts cite data quality as their biggest obstacle. Organisations should make analytics more accessible and simplify data prep with AI-powered insights,' Crowther explains.
Building a strong data culture, he says, goes beyond technology. 'The most successful companies are those that treat analytics as a core part of their decision-making DNA… One key practice we see is activating the entire decision-making ecosystem, from frontline analysts to senior managers, to build momentum across all levels of the organisation. Alteryx research, nine out of 10 respondents in the Middle East, including 93 per cent in the UAE, report that AI has significantly transformed their work in the past year. These companies also recognise that culture change isn't instant. They celebrate small wins and use those early successes to spark broader adoption.'
Key trends shaping enterprise data strategies
Crowther highlights several trends shaping enterprise data strategies in EMEA, including the need to make data AI-ready while maintaining trust and governance. 'As organisations work to unlock value from AI, they're also confronting fragmented architectures, siloed data sources, and growing regulatory expectations like GDPR. In response, we're seeing a shift toward more centralised, auditable data workflows where governance is built in from the start, not bolted on later.'
The democratisation of analytics is further changing the landscape. 'By putting AI and insights into the hands of non-technical users, organisations are no longer reliant on small, centralised teams to unlock value from their data. This shift enables faster, more informed decision-making across departments… Companies that provide flexible, scalable tools, while maintaining transparency and control over how AI is used, are better positioned to adapt quickly to market shifts, drive innovation from the ground up, and turn data into a competitive advantage,' Crowther says.
Real-world impact across industries
Alteryx-powered analytics are delivering measurable results across sectors in the region. Crowther points to the financial services industry as an example: 'One standout example is Bank al Etihad in Jordan, which has seen a measurable impact from Alteryx-powered analytics. With a network of over 50 branches, the bank needed to streamline its manual data preparation and reporting processes, which previously took an average of two days per report using spreadsheets. By adopting Alteryx, the bank was able to automate these workflows, significantly improving reporting speed, accuracy, and responsiveness to ad hoc requests.'
Navigating ethical and regulatory considerations
As AI and automation become more embedded in business processes, ethical and regulatory considerations are critical. 'Companies need to ensure that every data process is transparent, auditable, and aligned with both internal policies and external regulations like GDPR. This includes safeguarding personally identifiable information, removing proprietary IP, and involving legal and compliance teams early in the development and deployment of AI-driven solutions. Building trust with customers, regulators, and employees will be essential to unlocking long-term value from AI in a responsible and sustainable way,' Crowther advises.
Opportunities ahead
Looking forward, the Middle East and Africa present significant growth opportunities for analytics adoption. Crowther emphasises, 'The biggest opportunities lie in making analytics more accessible, automating routine processes, and ensuring data is AI-ready and well-governed. What excites me most is how quickly the region is moving from early adoption to real impact, with analytics becoming a core part of how organisations operate and grow.'
With AI projected to contribute $100bn to the UAE's GDP and $135.2bn to Saudi Arabia's by 2030, businesses that embrace analytics, automation, and a data-driven culture are poised to transform operations, enhance decision-making, and gain a competitive edge.
