Imagine knowing your customers’ needs before they do. This is the future unfolding today.  Like many aspects of modern life, AI tools have fundamentally reshaped sales strategies, becoming ubiquitous within the customer journey.  This transformation is unsurprising, as AI empowers companies to streamline and elevate their sales operations. 

One notable application is smart inventory management, as highlighted by Andrew Kabrit, Chief Product Officer of Seez, who shares insights from the automotive industry. “Our AI-driven Car Attractiveness Score helps dealerships determine which cars will sell quickly. It tracks how people engage with cars—clicks, favorites, and inquiries—and fine-tunes the score based on factors like car type, fuel, and price. This lets dealerships focus on stocking cars in high demand while avoiding overstocking those that aren’t as popular.”

Yahya Kabbara, Commercial & Marketing Director at MyGatePass, notes that the real estate sector is also actively embracing AI technologies through streamlined property viewings, matching buyers with suitable opportunities, saving time, and improving decision-making. 

Kabbara points to its AI-powered solution, which analyzes visitor data. This provides developers, asset managers, and stakeholders with real-time, actionable insights to make smarter, faster decisions. 

“Companies leveraging AI effectively across different departments—sales, marketing, customer service, and beyond—are emerging as the biggest winners,” he says. “It’s not just about efficiency—it’s about understanding the customer on a deeper level and having a sales machine running 24/7 for your business.” 

THE FUTURE OF PERSONALIZATION 

From prospecting and lead qualification to predicting buying patterns, AI tools, in their many forms, share a common goal: personalization. By analyzing vast amounts of consumer data, businesses can anticipate customer needs, optimize marketing strategies, and deliver highly tailored offerings, says Georges Calas, CEO of Lifesize Plans Dubai. 

He shares that they use similar AI-powered tools to provide personalized experiences and real-time project visualizations, allowing clients to walk through life-sized design layouts and make quicker, more confident decisions. He says data-driven, customer-centric experiences, reinforces customer loyalty and leads to increased repeat business.

“The real leap will come in predictive decision-making and long-term business strategies,” says Kabrit, noting that hyper-personalization will go beyond suggesting products based on past behavior to predict lifestyle changes, upcoming trends, and even emotional states, offering solutions before the customer is aware of their needs. 

“Imagine a retailer in the GCC predicting when a customer might want to upgrade their car or home and proactively offering tailored financing options or product bundles—right at the perfect time,” he says. “In the future, AI will help businesses in the GCC stop reacting to trends and start predicting them.”

UNDERSTANDING THE SHIFT IN CONSUMER BEHAVIOR 

The sophistication of such predictive models has created a noticeable shift in consumer behavior and expectations. “GCC consumers are becoming more tech-savvy, expecting brands to understand their preferences and provide instant, customized solutions,”  says Calas, noting that the rise of e-commerce and digital touchpoints has led to higher expectations for instant responses and virtual consultations.  

“In the GCC, consumers are drawn to brands that leverage AI to provide a frictionless experience, fostering trust and loyalty.” 

While all GCC countries embrace AI, the pace and focus areas may differ based on economic diversification goals and infrastructural priorities. 

“The UAE is at the forefront of AI adoption, driven by government initiatives and a tech-savvy population eager for innovation,” Calas says, adding that adoption in the construction and interior design sectors is exceptionally high. He adds that AI adoption is accelerating in Saudi Arabia, fueled by a growing focus on large-scale urban development projects. “With its preparations for global events and rapid infrastructure growth, Qatar is also embracing AI-driven efficiencies in various industries, including architecture and real estate.”

CHALLENGES FACING AI ADOPTION IN SALES 

Despite its extensive potential, Kabrit and Kabbara both acknowledge that AI adoption in sales and marketing in the region still faces challenges. The most significant hurdle is the availability of high-quality, consistent, and comprehensive data. “Without solid data, AI can’t provide the insights businesses need to drive results,” says Kabrit. 

The shortage of AI talent skilled in AI, machine learning, and data science aggravates this issue. This scarcity, Kabbara notes, makes it challenging for companies to not only develop but also efficiently operate and maintain AI solutions. 

The issue of integration is also a key consideration among adopters. Integrating AI systems with existing business processes and technologies can be complex and resource-intensive, requiring significant organizational change, says Kabbara. This is not only a technical concern but an organizational and strategic one, especially regarding data protection.“If a solution doesn’t integrate well, it risks becoming another KPI tool instead of a real business solution,” says Kabrit.“Businesses should prioritize getting this right to avoid the headache of managing disconnected systems.” 

Lastly, the legal landscape around AI in the GCC is still evolving, creating uncertainty around compliance and data use. Navigating such an uncertain regulatory landscape and addressing ethical concerns related to AI use thus poses additional challenges for businesses, notes Kabbara. 

Despite these hurdles, stakeholders are learning as they go. Kabrit says when predicting residual values for clients in certain GCC regions, Seez does not rely solely on publicly available online data, which could be inaccurate, and instead chooses to collaborate with trusted data providers and government entities to access reliable information. 

This collaboration aligns with Kabbara’s observation that the public sector is increasingly addressing this issue by implementing open data policies and fostering partnerships with the private sector, ultimately benefiting the entire market. Similarly, he says the UAE and KSA are investing in hardware, people, and software as part of their efforts to lead the race for global AI dominance.

EXPLORING THE ADOPTION OF THE GCC REGION 

As businesses, consumers, and governments work to navigate the rapid integration of AI, one thing is clear: Over the next five years, the region’s AI market will nearly double, reaching $16 billion by 2029.

Kabrit says, “We’re looking at a complete transformation in how businesses engage with customers.” 

He attributes this growth to several key trends. First, the GCC region’s shift toward a digital-first mindset has prompted businesses to embrace AI solutions for a competitive edge. “Sales teams in the GCC are increasingly using AI to optimize their processes—leveraging predictive analytics to understand customer behavior and automating repetitive tasks, allowing more time for high-value interactions.” Second, the booming e-commerce sector relies heavily on AI to drive its success. 

Lastly, Kabrit highlights strong government support and significant investments in AI ventures. “Businesses leveraging AI to meet growing demand are well-positioned to gain a competitive edge,” he adds.