Business Intelligence (BI) is moving fast. The tools we used five years ago are no longer sufficient. And the way companies collect, analyse, and use data is changing across every industry.If you’re a business owner, a manager, or someone responsible for building a data-driven team, you already see the shift. Decisions need to be faster. Data needs to be cleaner. Insights need to be more accurate.And BI today is not just about dashboards. It’s about automation, AI, governance, and real-time decision-making.Before examining the future of business intelligence, it is helpful to understand why BI is undergoing this transformation.

Why BI Is Changing?

Data volumes everywhere are rising. The Middle East alone is experiencing one of the fastest digital-transformation periods in the world. According to McKinsey’s Technology Trends Outlook 2025, breakthroughs in AI and data technologies are reshaping how companies work and compete.And it’s not only global shifts. Local organisations in the GCC are investing in cloud, AI, automation, and analytics more than ever, supported by national digital strategies in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman.So the question is simple:

What will BI look like over the next few years?

Let’s look at the most important trends shaping its future.

1. BI Will Become More Automated

Most BI teams still spend a huge amount of time cleaning, preparing, and transforming data. But this is changing fast.A 2025 global survey by Alteryx found that 76% of analysts still perform manual data preparation, even though 73% believe AI tools speed up their work and make the analyst role more effective and efficient.This shows a clear shift:BI will rely more on automation technologies to handle the heavy lifting, especially in:
  • Data cleaning
  • Data transformation
  • Model building
  • Reporting
  • Workflow execution
Automation frees analysts and BI teams to focus on the insight itself, not the manual tasks.

2. AI Will Play a Bigger Role in BI

BI tools are adding AI everywhere. Not in a “magical” way, but in a practical one.AI is now helping analysts generate insights, detect anomalies, build forecasts, and answer business questions using natural language.For example, Power BI has integrated Copilot features to help create calculations, visuals, and reports with simple instructions.McKinsey research also shows that AI-powered decision-making will be one of the strongest competitive advantages across industries by 2030.AI won’t replace BI teams. It will accelerate them.

3. BI Will Move Closer to Real-Time

Companies no longer wait for weekly or monthly reports. They want answers now.Real-time BI is becoming essential in:
  • Retail
  • Logistics
  • Healthcare
  • Finance
  • E-commerce
  • Public services
A recent study on smart-city systems in Dubai and Riyadh shows how real-time data and AI are used to monitor traffic, predict congestion, and optimise response times.This same logic is spreading into business operations. In 2026 and beyond, more BI platforms will connect directly to live systems and deliver continuous insights.

4. Data Governance Will Be Non-Negotiable

The more BI grows, the more companies need structure.Data governance is no longer something “big companies” do. It’s becoming basic hygiene for any business that wants reliable insights.This includes:
  • Clear data definitions
  • Quality checks
  • Access rules
  • Documentation
  • Security policies
  • Compliance with local regulations
In the Middle East, data governance is becoming even more important as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain roll out stricter data-sovereignty laws.The BARC BI & Analytics Trend Monitor 2025 also notes that governance is one of the top challenges BI teams will face.Good BI is impossible without good governance.

5. BI Will Become More Self-Service

Teams outside IT want more control over their data. This includes marketing, finance, HR, operations, customer support, and supply chain.Self-service BI lets non-technical users:
  • Explore data
  • Build charts
  • Analyse performance
  • Create their own dashboards
This reduces the pressure on BI teams and helps organisations make decisions faster.But for self-service to work, companies must invest in training, data literacy, and easy-to-use tools.

6. BI Will Integrate With Automation Tools

BI is no longer separate from workflow automation.Tools like Power Automate, Zapier, Make.com, and enterprise automation systems are becoming part of BI architecture.Here’s why:It’s not enough to see insights. Companies want to act on them instantly.Examples:
  • If sales drop suddenly → trigger an alert
  • If a stock reaches a threshold → send a reorder
  • If customer sentiment changes → update the CRM
  • If a KPI falls → send a task to the team
This connection between BI and automation makes decision cycles shorter and more reliable.

7. BI Skills Will Become More Valuable

BI roles are evolving. Companies now look for professionals who understand:
  • Data modelling
  • Data cleaning
  • Power BI
  • SQL
  • Automation tools
  • Storytelling
  • Problem-solving
And this isn’t just a trend. It’s backed by data. Jay Henderson, SVP of Product at Alteryx, said:“Leveraging AI as an everyday tool has boosted job satisfaction and reclaimed valuable hours for analysts.”Teams that invest in skills grow faster. Teams that don’t usually fall behind.

How to Be Ready for the Future of Analytics and Business Intelligence?

If you want your organisation to benefit from the new wave of BI, here are the steps that matter most:
  • Build a strong data foundation
  • Train your team on BI tools
  • Use automation to reduce manual work
  • Adopt AI features gradually
  • Improve governance and documentation
  • Develop data literacy across departments
  • Encourage self-service BI
  • Invest in cloud and analytics infrastructure
The companies that adapt now will stay ahead in the next three to five years.

Master These Skills with the IMP Data Analysis & Business Intelligence Diploma

If you want to build a strong BI team or upskill yourself, the Data Analysis & Business Intelligence Diploma – IMP IMP gives you the exact skills the market demands.The diploma covers the full BI stack, including:
  • Excel for data analysis
  • Power Query
  • Power Pivot
  • Data modelling
  • Power BI (from beginner to advanced)
  • SQL for data analysis
  • Data storytelling
  • Descriptive statistics
  • Power Platform automation
These are the same technologies shaping the future of BI. And they are taught in a practical, hands-on format that helps you apply them immediately.Contact IMP for further information and master the skills that will uplift your career.