startAD, the Abu Dhabi-based startup accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), has launched the AI Adoption Barometer, developed through its AI for Good initiative with support from Google.org. Drawing on insights from 52 UAE-based organizations, the Barometer is the first practitioner-informed snapshot of how organizations across healthcare and social impact sectors are adopting artificial intelligence in practice.
While enthusiasm for AI continues to grow, many organizations are seeking practical guidance on how to translate it into effective adoption. Key priorities include identifying meaningful use cases, establishing governance frameworks, allocating resources effectively, and implementing solutions responsibly. Equally important is defining clear metrics to measure performance and impact, and ensuring successful use cases can be systematically scaled from individual projects into broader organizational adoption.
“AI for Good was created to help mission-driven organizations move from interest in AI to practical adoption. One of the clearest needs that emerged from our work was for practical, step-by-step implementable, accessible guidance – tools that meet organizations where they are and help them move forward responsibly and realistically.”
In healthcare, 81% of organizations surveyed have defined AI use cases and 58% are already piloting or deploying solutions. Yet 42% report having no dedicated AI budget, a gap that reveals the distance between momentum and readiness. In the social impact sector, the challenge is more foundational, with many institutions still working to define use cases and build the internal capacity needed for responsible adoption.
To help close that gap, startAD has also launched two implementation playbooks. The AI Use Case Discovery Playbook helps organizations turn a vague idea into a testable AI use case, with no technical background required. The Evaluate and Pilot AI Solutions Playbook guides teams through assessing, selecting, and running a responsible pilot within their existing operations. Both are available through the new startAD AI Resource Hub, alongside the AI Adoption Barometer, which organizations can download and use as a benchmarking reference and decision-support tool.
“While AI may seem complex, we are convinced that healthcare organizations can embrace it. This project challenges the assumption that meaningful AI requires massive financial resources or specialized technical proficiency.”
Anthony Nakache, Managing Director, Google MENA: “While AI may seem complex, we are convinced that healthcare organizations can embrace it. This project challenges the assumption that meaningful AI requires massive financial resources or specialized technical proficiency. Being part of Google’s regional AI Opportunity Initiative, Google.org’s support to startAD is designed to improve healthcare accessibility for disadvantaged communities across the UAE.”
To date, the AI for Good program has engaged five organizations through 13 AI readiness workshops, delivered a 43% overall increase in AI readiness, and mobilized close to 200 university students and solution builders across the UAE, KSA, and the wider MENA region.
The AI Adoption Barometer and playbooks are available to download now at startad.ae/ai-for-good-resource-hub/
