TLDR: Generative AI adoption has nearly tripled within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) over the past year, with 52% of financial firms now actively utilizing AI, up from 33% in 2024. The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)’s 2025 AI survey highlights a 166% surge in Generative AI use, underscoring a significant shift towards integrating advanced AI into financial operations.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has witnessed a remarkable acceleration in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI, among its financial firms. According to the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)’s 2025 AI survey, released on November 12, 2025, overall AI adoption has risen to 52% of firms, a substantial increase from 33% in 2024. The most significant growth was observed in Generative AI, which saw a 166% year-on-year surge, with 48% of firms now using it, compared to just 18% in 2024.
The comprehensive survey, conducted in June 2025, gathered data from 661 Authorised Firms within the DIFC, achieving an impressive 88% participation rate. These firms span various critical sectors, including Banking, Capital Markets, Wealth & Asset Management, and Fintech, providing a robust insight into the evolving AI landscape within the financial services industry. The findings indicate a profound transformation, with most firms now integrating AI into at least one area of their operations, and a clear majority anticipating further AI deployment over the next 12 months, with 75% planning increases over three years.
Justin Baldacchino, Managing Director, Supervision, of the DFSA, commented on the rapid integration: “The DIFC’s financial services ecosystem is embracing AI at pace. While AI adoption remains at a nascent stage for many firms, there is growing recognition of its strategic potential to enhance organisation-wide performance, from operational efficiency and regulatory compliance to customer engagement and sales.”
Beyond Generative AI, the survey also highlighted significant growth in other AI categories. Narrow AI adoption increased by 99% year-on-year, while both deep learning and machine learning usage climbed by more than 60%. This broad-based growth underscores the diverse applications of AI being explored by DIFC firms.
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However, the DFSA also emphasized the critical need for robust governance frameworks to evolve in parallel with technological adoption. The regulator stressed the importance of effective governance, ethical data use, and sound risk management practices to ensure responsible AI integration. A notable finding from the survey revealed that 21% of firms currently lack clear accountability or oversight mechanisms, despite utilizing AI in critical business operations. This highlights a potential gap between the rapid pace of technology adoption and the maturity of risk management practices. The DFSA reiterated its commitment to working closely with the industry to develop guidance and frameworks for sustainable and secure AI integration, balancing innovation with integrity to protect customers, manage risks, and uphold market confidence.
