Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a part of everyday life in the UAE, but growing reliance on AI tools for personal decisions is creating new cybersecurity and privacy challenges, according to a new survey commissioned by Kaspersky.
The research found that nearly 85% of UAE respondents now use AI services, ranging from chatbots and content-generation platforms to image and video creation tools. The most common applications include information search and summarization (73%) and text generation (56%), highlighting how AI is moving from experimental technology to a mainstream digital assistant.
However, the findings suggest that AI usage is expanding beyond productivity tasks. More consumers are turning to AI for health-related questions (35%), leisure planning (31%), meal preparation (23%), and broader personal advice, with 40% of respondents indicating they seek guidance from AI on personal matters.
“Users should be aware of the limitations and potential risks associated with AI services. Even widely used AI platforms may contain vulnerabilities that could lead to data exposure, while information shared with these platforms may be processed or accessed by third parties depending on the service and its policies.”
— Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel, Middle East, Turkiye and Africa, Kaspersky
This trend presents a significant challenge for cybersecurity and privacy professionals. As users increasingly share personal information with AI platforms, concerns are growing around how that data is stored, processed, and protected. Sensitive information disclosed in conversations may be exposed through vulnerabilities, improper data handling practices, or malicious cyber activity.
The survey also highlights ongoing trust issues surrounding AI-generated content. Nearly one in ten respondents reported encountering inaccurate AI-generated information, while 19% believe AI systems can provide unreliable responses. These findings underscore the importance of validating AI-generated recommendations, particularly in areas such as health, finance, legal matters, and education.
According to Seifallah Jedidi, cybercriminals are also exploiting the growing popularity of AI by creating fake AI services and malicious tools disguised as legitimate platforms. This creates additional risks for users who may unknowingly expose personal data or download malware.
For businesses and policymakers, the findings illustrate a broader challenge emerging across the AI ecosystem: adoption is advancing faster than awareness. While AI is delivering convenience and efficiency, organizations will need stronger privacy safeguards, user education, and cybersecurity controls to ensure that growing trust in AI does not become a new vulnerability.
