UAE Pioneers AI Education: Introducing Curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12

UAE to introduce AI classes for children as young as four

The United Arab Emirates is rolling out an artificial intelligence curriculum from the earliest years in state schools as it seeks to become a regional AI hub and avoid the past "mistake" of not reacting to the spread of social media, its education minister said. While many countries have introduced lessons about AI in schools, the Gulf country is investing heavily to position itself as an AI hotspot and the scheme partly aims to prepare students for the future workplace. But "the trigger [for the AI curriculum] was how much we saw students impacted by social media, and how we did not adapt to that," education minister Sarah al-Amiri told the Financial Times, referring to the struggle of dealing with the attention sapping power of platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. "We did not want that mistake to happen again." Although the wealthy UAE enjoys high living standards, a 2022 study showed UAE students perform worse than the OECD average in maths, reading and science, as well as the problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed to prepare young people for a changing workplace. Some 300,000 children attend state schools, which are free for Emiratis and other Gulf Cooperation Council nationals. But fee-paying private schools are also popular, and a fast-growing business. Hoping to diversify its oil-dependent economy, Abu Dhabi has bet heavily on AI, from national champion G42 striking deals with Microsoft and chipmaker Cerebras, to its investment vehicle MGX backing a $30bn AI infrastructure fund. And as well as integrating AI into education, it has also outlined plans to use AI in lawmaking. The former chair of the UAE's space agency and minister of state for public education and future technology, Amiri was appointed education minister this year as part of a wider shake-up of the schooling system. Asked if students' underperformance would make applying an AI curriculum difficult, Amiri said that her "team has been focusing on improving learning outcomes through transformational initiatives precisely because we recognise these challenges, but they are not a reason to postpone the introduction of a curriculum focused on emerging systems". A "future-facing curriculum" should be used to improve performance levels, Amiri argued, adding that the ministry was also overhauling maths teaching. Although AI programming was initially going to be for high schoolers, the rapid evolution of the technology pushed the education ministry to expand the age range to include pupils at nursery schools. "We realised that in everyone's daily life, including children as young as four years old, they are exposed to it in one way or another," she said, citing devices such as Amazon's voice activated assistant Alexa. Teaching children to think critically about the output of AI chatbots like ChatGPT will be central to the new AI curriculum, Amiri said. The student "needs to be aware that there is bias, which means that when I get a result, do not take it blindly", she said. Ethical use of AI will also be a component of the curriculum, which is capped at 20 hours per academic year. The children will also learn how to write prompts, the directions given to a chatbot to elicit everything from text-based information to images, and how to use AI for research purposes without plagiarising. Countries from China to Finland are integrating AI into their education systems. Singapore, for example, is using AI to customise learning and give feedback via an online portal.

UAE schools to teach AI from kindergarten up

The United Arab Emirates will introduce artificial intelligence lessons for schoolchildren of all ages, officials said, in its latest initiative to stay at the technology's forefront. AI instruction in government schools, including at kindergarten level, would start from the next academic year, Dubai ruler and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said. "Our goal is to teach our children a deep understanding of AI from a technical perspective, while also fostering their awareness of the ethics of this new technology," he posted on X on Sunday. "Our responsibility is to equip our children for a time unlike ours, with conditions different from ours," the Dubai royal added. The UAE, one of the world's biggest oil exporters, is betting on AI to help it diversify its economy away from crude. The Gulf monarchy established the world's first AI ministry in 2017 and has a university dedicated to the technology in the capital, Abu Dhabi. In February, the UAE pledged 30-50 billion euros to build a giant AI data center in France.

UAE to Make AI Official Subject in Schools

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) as an official subject in the public-school curriculum for kindergarten to Grade 12, starting from the 2025-2026 academic year. The move will equip students with the essential knowledge and skills required to understand AI concepts and apply them in everyday life, as part of the UAE's focus on empowering youth to adapt to evolving global trends and drive innovation. It also positions the UAE among the first countries to introduce AI in school curricula. This key national initiative supports the UAE's drive to become a global leader in AI and digital transformation. In partnership with Presight a G42 company, AI71, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Emirates College for Advanced Education to accelerate tech adoption in education in order to support the country's vision to invest in people and create a future-ready education system that drives sustainable national development. Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, said, "Introducing AI across all public school levels is a strategic step that modernises teaching tools and supports a generation of young people who understand tech ethics and can create smart, locally relevant solutions to future challenges. The integration of AI into classrooms reflects the UAE Government's future-focused vision, reinforcing its global leadership in innovation- and tech-driven education and supporting its goal of building a knowledge-based society and a competitive digital economy led by skilled national talent." The UAE's AI curriculum spans seven key areas: foundational concepts, data and algorithms, software use, ethical awareness, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and policies and community engagement. It equips students with the knowledge and skills appropriate for each academic level, ensuring all public school graduates are well-versed in AI fundamentals and able to apply them in everyday life. The curriculum offers tailored units for each age group, starting with kindergarten, where children engage in visual and interactive activities to discover AI and other digital technologies through stories and play. In Cycle 1, students compare machines to humans, develop digital thinking skills, and explore AI applications. In Cycle 2, students design and evaluate AI systems, learn about bias and algorithms, and focus on ethical AI use. Cycle 3 prepares students for higher education and careers by teaching command engineering and simulating real-world scenarios. The new AI curriculum will be seamlessly integrated within existing school schedules without requiring additional teaching hours. It will be taught by designated teachers as part of the Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation subject. MoE will also provide comprehensive guides, including activities, models, and lesson plans adaptable to various classroom settings.

UAE schools to introduce AI curriculum from KG to grade 12

Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes The UAE is set to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a formal subject in all government schools, from kindergarten through Grade 12, starting from the next academic year, as part of a bold strategy to prepare future generations for a rapidly evolving digital world. The decision marks a major step in national efforts to embed advanced technological literacy into the education system and foster a future-ready workforce. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the new curriculum on Twitter, highlighting the UAE's long-term commitment to equipping young citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven era. "As part of the UAE's long-term plans to prepare future generations for a different future, a new world, and advanced skills, the UAE government today approved the final curriculum to introduce 'Artificial Intelligence' as a subject across all stages of government education in the UAE, from kindergarten to grade 12, starting from the next academic year," Sheikh Mohammed wrote. "We appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Education in developing a comprehensive curriculum, affirming that artificial intelligence will transform the way the world lives. Our goal is to teach our children a deep understanding of AI from a technical perspective, while also fostering their awareness of the ethics of this new technology, enhancing their understanding of its data, algorithms, applications, risks, and its connection to society and life." "Our responsibility is to equip our children for a time unlike ours, with conditions different from ours, and with new skills and capabilities that ensure the continued momentum of development and progress in our nation for decades to come," he added. Key concepts to be covered in the new AI curriculum The curriculum will span core AI concepts including machine learning, data science, algorithms, and robotics, as well as practical and ethical considerations associated with emerging technologies. The Ministry of Education has worked closely with experts and academic partners to shape the content, ensuring alignment with international standards. Among the key national institutions supporting the push toward AI excellence is the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world's first graduate-level AI research university. Located in Abu Dhabi, MBZUAI continues to play a vital role in building national AI capabilities by training top talent, advancing research, and fostering public-private collaboration in the field. Dubai AI Academy to support AI education In a parallel initiative to boost AI education and professional readiness, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation, recently launched the Dubai AI Academy during Dubai AI Week 2025. The academy is part of the Dubai AI Campus, the region's largest cluster of AI and advanced technology companies, housed within the DIFC Innovation Hub. "Dubai will be the destination of choice for those who are seeking to lead the future of artificial intelligence," said Sheikh Hamdan. "We will continue to support impactful initiatives that showcase the promising and diverse applications of AI, and the opportunities it offers to accelerate economic growth and advance progress across government, education, and society." The Dubai AI Academy aims to train 10,000 individuals, offering programmes developed in collaboration with global institutions such as Oxford University's Saïd Business School, Udacity, and the Minerva Project. Courses will include 'AI for Civil Service' and 'Leadership in the Age of AI', focusing on strategy, ethics, and integration of AI into decision-making processes. Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive national approach to harnessing AI as a catalyst for innovation, productivity, and sustainable development -- positioning the UAE as a global leader in technology education and application. Read: Dubai private schools receive nod for fee hike for new academic year