Enhancing Operational Effectiveness in Security and Defence within the UAE: The Strategic Role of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Afghani Ali 
Published: January 2025

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine operational effectiveness in security and defence within the UAE: The strategic role of artificial intelligence.
Methodology: The study applied both Qualitative and quantitative approach. For the qualitative component of this research, a complete literature analysis will be done to investigate the current body of scholarship, studies, and policy papers pertaining to the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in security and defense within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Thematic analysis will be used for a qualitative data analysis method. This study will also apply quantitative approach. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and a structured survey distributed to 50 professionals to stakeholders within the UAE's security and military industries to obtain quantitative data on different areas of AI acceptance, usage, obstacles, and perceived influence on operational performance. Statistical software like Excel and Python will be used to perform quantitative data analysis. Charts, graphs, and plots will be used to visually present the survey results.
Findings: The statistical findings reveal a significant relationship between AI adoption and enhanced decision-making capabilities. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.78, p < 0.001) between AI usage and improved situational awareness underscores AI’s capacity to process real-time data effectively. In cybersecurity, the analysis identifies a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.64, p < 0.01) between AI implementation and threat mitigation success. The participants have consistently emphasized ability of AI for analysis of vast datasets in the real time ensuring more informed and quick decision. It aligns with the global trends where the defense organizations would leverage AI for interpretation of satellite imagery and prediction of threats. The advanced machine learning algorithms have been proven effective for detection of anomalies like unauthorized access and phishing attack attempts. The participants are praising the technologies for improving the operational efficiency and reducing the human risks.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Study highlights existing theories where AI improves decision making through real time insights. However, it challenges the deterministic views for AI as the infallible further emphasizing need for the hybrid models which integrates with the human judgement. The defense organizations need to adopt for hybrid approach where the AI is supporting instead of replacing the human decision making. The training programs need to be designed for equipping personnel with skills for interpreting the AI outputs critically. With the growing adversarial of AI, the investment across counter AI technologies has been imperative. It includes development of systems which could neutralize and identify the AI driven cyberattacks and foster collaborations with the global cybersecurity experts for staying ahead in emerging threats. The strengthening of partnerships with the international defense organizations could also help the UAE for leveraging the cutting-edge counters for AI solutions while sharing the threat intelligence effectively.