UAE residents plan to use AI for holidays, cybersecurity experts warn of risks – report

A large majority of residents in the UAE plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) during the upcoming holiday period with new research pointing to growing reliance on AI tools for planning, shopping and even emotional support.

A survey conducted by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky found that 92 per cent of respondents in the UAE intend to use AI-powered tools as part of their holiday activities.

Usage is highest among younger people, with 86 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 saying they expect to rely on artificial intelligence during the festive season.

The findings highlight how AI has expanded beyond practical tasks such as shopping and travel planning to play a broader role in daily life. More than half of respondents said they plan to use AI to search for restaurants or accommodation, while 45 per cent expect to rely on it for finding recipes.

Growing AI reliance during festive period

AI is also increasingly used as a source of ideas. The survey found that 48 per cent of users turn to AI for gift suggestions, celebration ideas or decoration tips, while 51 per cent plan to use it for recommendations on how to spend their free time.

Around 46 per cent said they view AI as a shopping assistant, using it to create shopping lists, compare deals or analyse product reviews.

The research also points to a growing emotional dimension. Nearly 39 per cent of respondents who use AI during the holidays said they would consider talking to AI tools when feeling unhappy with interest strongest among Gen Z and millennial users.

Vladislav Tushkanov, group manager at Kaspersky AI Technology Research Center, said: “AI systems learn from vast amounts of online data, which means they can reproduce errors and biases present in their training material. Users should approach AI-generated suggestions with caution and avoid sharing sensitive personal information.”

Kaspersky warned that heavy reliance on AI tools could expose users to cybersecurity risks, particularly when chatbot-generated links or recommendations are taken at face value.

The company advised users to verify links before clicking and to use security software with phishing detection capabilities.

The survey also noted that while interactions with AI tools may feel private, most services are operated by commercial companies with their own data collection practices. Users were encouraged to review privacy policies, limit the sharing of personal or financial information and avoid unverified or anonymous AI services.