What UAE CEOs Should Ask Their IT Teams in 2025

As technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, the role of the CEO is also transforming. In 2025, being a successful CEO in the UAE isn’t just about driving growth and managing teams—it’s about asking the right questions. And when it comes to IT, asking the right questions could mean the difference between innovation and irrelevance.

From cloud migration to AI implementation and cybersecurity preparedness, IT is no longer just a support function—it’s a core enabler of business strategy. To stay ahead of the curve, UAE CEOs must engage more deeply with their IT leaders. But what should they be asking?

Here are the top questions UAE CEOs should ask their IT teams in 2025 to stay competitive, secure, and future-ready.

1. Are We Aligned with the UAE’s National Digital Strategy?

The UAE’s digital agenda is bold and ambitious, with initiatives like UAE Vision 2031 and the Dubai Digital Strategy emphasizing AI, smart services, and sustainable tech. CEOs should ask:

Are our current IT initiatives aligned with these national goals?
Are we leveraging government platforms or grants to support innovation?

Alignment not only ensures relevance in a fast-evolving market but can also open doors to partnerships, incentives, and visibility within government and enterprise ecosystems.

2. How Resilient Is Our Cybersecurity Posture?

With cyberattacks growing more sophisticated and frequent, cybersecurity is a board-level concern. CEOs must understand the current state of their cyber resilience:

Do we have a zero-trust security model in place?
When was our last penetration test or risk assessment?
Are we compliant with UAE regulations like NESA and GDPR (if relevant)?

Cyber incidents are not just technical issues—they’re reputation risks, legal risks, and financial threats. CEOs must push for proactive defense, not reactive patchwork.

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3. Are We Getting Full ROI from Our IT Investments?

IT spending has increased in most UAE companies post-COVID, but that doesn’t always mean higher returns. CEOs should ask:

Which IT systems are delivering real business value?
Where are we overspending or underutilizing tools?
What metrics are we using to measure ROI from IT?

This question ensures that IT investments are tied to business outcomes, not just tech trends.

4. What’s Our AI and Automation Roadmap?

AI is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. From customer service bots to predictive analytics and intelligent automation, CEOs must know:

Where are we using AI today, and what’s planned for the next 12 months?
Are we upskilling staff to work with AI tools?
How are we mitigating AI risks like bias and data privacy issues?

In 2025, AI-readiness = business-readiness. The question is no longer if you should adopt AI, but how and where it makes the biggest impact.

5. Are We Future-Proofing Our IT Infrastructure?

Tech changes fast. Infrastructure that served well five years ago might now be holding your business back. CEOs should ask:

Is our infrastructure scalable and cloud-optimized?
Can we support a hybrid or remote workforce seamlessly?
Are we using sustainable technologies that support ESG goals?

Future-proof infrastructure ensures your business can pivot, grow, and stay compliant—without costly overhauls down the road.

6. How Agile and Adaptable Are We as a Tech-Driven Company?

Agility isn’t just about development sprints and DevOps anymore—it’s about an entire company being able to pivot quickly based on data and insights. CEOs must explore:

How fast can we launch a new digital product or service?
Do we have the right mix of in-house vs outsourced tech capabilities?
Are we collecting and acting on real-time data?

In the UAE’s competitive, fast-moving market, agility can be a strategic differentiator.

7. Are We Protecting Customer Trust Through Data Responsibility?

Consumers and regulators alike are becoming more demanding when it comes to data ethics. CEOs must ask:

What data are we collecting, and do we truly need all of it?
How are we safeguarding sensitive customer information?
Are we transparent about how data is used, stored, and shared?

A privacy-first mindset isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building long-term trust and brand loyalty.

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8. What Emerging Technologies Should We Be Paying Attention To?

Staying ahead means not just reacting to change but anticipating it. CEOs should lean on their IT leaders to act as innovation scouts. Ask:

What emerging tech (quantum, edge computing, digital twins, etc.) is relevant to our industry?
Are we piloting any experimental or innovation projects?
What are our competitors adopting that we’re not?

Being tech-forward doesn’t mean chasing every trend—but it does mean actively exploring the future.

9. How Ready Are We for Business Continuity Disruptions?

Whether it’s a system outage, geopolitical shock, or natural disaster, CEOs must be sure their companies can stay operational. Ask:

Do we have a business continuity and disaster recovery plan?
How fast can we recover from a major IT failure or cyberattack?
When was our last simulation or test of these plans?

Resilience isn’t built during a crisis—it’s built before one happens.

10. Is Our IT Team Positioned as a Strategic Business Partner?

Finally, the most important question may be cultural: is IT seen as a cost center or a growth enabler? CEOs should evaluate:

Is IT included in strategic planning conversations?
Do other departments collaborate well with IT?
Is the CIO/CTO aligned with our vision and customer needs?

When IT sits at the strategy table, businesses move faster, innovate better, and create real competitive advantages.

Final Thoughts: From Oversight to Insight

In 2025, UAE CEOs can no longer afford to leave tech questions to “the IT guys.” The intersection of business and technology is where transformation happens. By asking thoughtful, future-focused questions, CEOs become not just overseers—but insightful enablers of progress.

Whether you lead a fintech firm in DIFC, a logistics company in Jebel Ali, or a healthcare group in Abu Dhabi, staying tech-literate is essential. The right questions today can shape a smarter, more secure, and more scalable business tomorrow.

So, what will you ask your IT team next?

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