MENA Region Leads Global Optimism on AI Job Creation Amidst Growing Calls for Regulation

A new study reveals that individuals in the Global South, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, exhibit significantly higher optimism about artificial intelligence (AI) creating jobs compared to those in wealthier economies. This optimism exists even as the increasing enthusiasm for AI is met with strong demands for stricter regulation.

The Future Investment Initiative Institute's Priority Compass report, released on Wednesday, found that approximately 43% of respondents in the Global South believe AI will generate more quality jobs than it eliminates. This contrasts with 70% in the Global North who hold this view. Specifically, in the three MENA countries surveyed – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco – a substantial 66% are confident that AI will create more quality jobs than it destroys. This figure is considerably higher than the 27% in Europe and 33% in North America.

These findings underscore a pronounced divergence between the Global South and more affluent economies regarding AI's impact on employment. Concurrently, a significant 85% of respondents worldwide advocate for a global regulatory framework to ensure enhanced human oversight of AI technologies. Globally, 54% of respondents disagree that AI will create more quality jobs than it destroys.

The comprehensive report surveyed over 61,000 individuals across 32 countries, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco representing the MENA nations included in the study. A shared sentiment across all surveyed regions is the desire for AI to be subjected to greater human oversight, with 85% overall supporting a global framework and rules to govern this rapidly advancing technology.

Maha bint Mishari, chief executive of the FII Institute, noted in the report that this clamor "underscores a global demand for human control on emerging technologies."

In related findings, Africa emerged as the most positive region regarding the acceptance of cryptocurrencies, with 81% expressing optimism, followed by the three surveyed MENA countries at 71%. The Global South's overall score for cryptocurrency acceptance was 69%, more than double the Global North's 30%, with Europe showing the least positivity at 28%.

Meanwhile, the study also highlighted that inflation continues to be the primary concern related to the cost of living. However, energy and fuel costs have escalated to become the next most significant worry. The impact of successive crises in the Middle East has most heavily affected fuel prices in the Global North, where concern about fuel costs has risen to 42%, up from 29% last year. In contrast, low wages remain the second-highest concern in the Global South at 32% (compared to 17% in the Global North). Energy costs have also become a greater concern in the Global South, increasing from 22% last year to 29% in 2026, according to the FII Institute.

Ms. bint Mishari concluded, "Half of all respondents continue to cite the cost of living as their number one concern, underlining a global confidence crisis unrepresented in headlines. People everywhere are feeling the impact of inflation, job insecurity and the pressure of everyday expenses."