By Peter Oganesean, Managing Director at HP Middle East and East Africa
Today, work is fluid, hybrid, mobile, and often borderless. And while that flexibility brings opportunity, many employees are still struggling to find balance in this new normal. Employees need more support to thrive, as
HP’s 2024 Work Relationship Index reveals.
Just 28% of knowledge workers say they have a healthy relationship with work. The research highlights six drivers that shape how employees experience work: leadership, fulfillment, skills, tools, people-centricity, and workspace. More than two-thirds of workers say they want personalized experiences, greater autonomy, and targeted training to keep pace with change. 87% of employees would even give up part of their salary—on average up to 14%—to gain more customized and supportive work environments.
People don’t just want to work differently. They want to work better.
The Human-Centric AI Imperative
AI is a transformational tool that, and when used purposefully, can bring out the best in people. Far from replacing human ingenuity, AI has the power to amplify it, helping individuals work faster, smarter, and with greater purpose. Handled responsibly, it is a collaborator that enhances creativity, personalizes workflows, and protects wellbeing.
Workers who already use AI are 11 points more satisfied in their relationship with work than those who don’t. Our design principle is simple: Build AI that works for people.
AI That’s Built In, Not Bolted On
At HP, AI is intentionally integrated from the ground up, embedded, at the edge, on the device, and at the heart of how people work. Our next-gen PCs are designed to bring performance, privacy, and personalization together.
The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i is ideal for leaders who need flexibility and power on the move, with a sustainable design that aligns with our climate goals. The EliteBook X 14-inch packs serious performance—up to 55 TOPS from its NPU—to handle complex tasks locally. And the OmniBook Ultra Flip is a versatile 2-in-1 essential for creators and freelancers, with a 3K OLED display and 20-hour battery life.
AI on these devices helps users streamline repetitive tasks, from automatic note summarization to system optimization, without needing the cloud. That not only improves speed but also enhances data privacy and reduces energy consumption.
We have also built AI into the way people collaborate. HP Poly’s intelligent video tools bring speaker tracking, adaptive lighting, and immersive framing to hybrid meetings. AI-driven features like real-time transcription and smart scheduling keep things flowing, regardless of where teams are located.
HP and the Region’s AI Ambitions
Across the Middle East, a bold wave of digital transformation is redefining how governments, businesses, and individuals operate. Nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are not just adopting AI, they are at the forefront of shaping the global AI agenda through innovative national strategies, investments in AI research, and driven public-private partnerships.
One of these groundbreaking initiatives is Abu Dhabi’s goal to become the world’s first fully AI-powered government by 2027. Spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA) and supported by organizations like the AI Office of the UAE, this vision aims to incorporate artificial intelligence into every aspect of governance—public services, infrastructure, policymaking and citizen engagement.
HP is a proud partner on this journey. We collaborate closely with public institutions, educators, and enterprise leaders to integrate practical, human centered AI solutions that enhance services, drive efficiency, and cultivate the next generation of digital talent. Initiatives like HP IDEA (Innovative Digital Education for All) and the HP EdTech Incubator are already making measurable progress and empowering educators with AI-driven tools, fostering digital equity, and enabling large-scale upskilling.
Looking Ahead: What will the Future look like?
AI can’t just be powerful; it must have a purpose. That means solutions that scale with corporate needs, unlock creativity, and deliver measurable productivity. It also means providing teams with the training and support to use AI with confidence.
At HP, we are committed to being the partner that helps regional and global businesses adopt AI purposefully and benefit from it. That includes providing hardware, services, and hands-on learning to ensure every employee can get the most out of their tools, whether they are in the office, at home, or anywhere in between.
The future of work is already here. Our role is to make sure it works for everyone.
