Middle East Boards Lead Globally on AI Governance, but Skills and Expertise Gaps Remain, New Board Intelligence Index Reveals

• 42% of Middle East directors view their board as an essential tool for value creation, the highest proportion among regions surveyed
• 58% of boards are actively reviewing which decisions should remain human-led versus AI-led, with the remainder already having discussed it at board level, ahead of all other regions
• 86% say their board enables innovation, the highest level across all regions
• Skills and expertise are the region’s biggest boardroom challenge, with 80% of Middle East directors reporting that this issue has led to a delayed, rushed, or poor board decision in the past six months

H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 11 June 2026 – Boards across the Middle East are emerging as the most forward-looking and technology-focused globally, according to new research from Board Intelligence, EMEA’s largest board technology and advisory firm.

Pippa Begg, CEO of Board Intelligence

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