Artificial intelligence will be officially included as a subject in all government schools, ranging from kindergarten to grade 12, beginning in the next academic year.
UAE to Introduce AI Education Across All Government Schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a pioneering step in education reform by announcing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a formal subject across all government schools, spanning from kindergarten through Grade 12. The rollout will begin in the upcoming academic year and forms part of a bold national strategy to equip future generations with digital and technological fluency.
Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Future
This landmark decision, announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, underscores the country's long-term vision to future-proof its youth. In a statement shared on Twitter on May 4, 2025, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of empowering students with deep technical understanding of AI alongside an awareness of its ethical, social, and practical implications.
“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,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He added, “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.”
Comprehensive AI Curriculum
The AI curriculum, developed by the UAE Ministry of Education in collaboration with global academic partners, is designed to meet international standards. It will introduce students to key areas such as:
- Machine Learning
- Data Science
- Algorithms
- Robotics
- Ethical and Social Implications of AI
By covering both theoretical foundations and real-world applications, the curriculum aims to build a generation of AI-literate citizens capable of leading innovation in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Key Institutions Driving the Initiative
Supporting the nationwide educational shift is the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), based in Abu Dhabi. Recognized as the world’s first graduate-level research university focused solely on AI, MBZUAI plays a central role in:
- Training top-tier AI talent
- Advancing AI research
- Encouraging collaboration between public and private sectors
The institution contributes significantly to national capacity building in emerging technologies, aligning with the UAE’s ambitions to become a global AI hub.
Dubai AI Academy: Upskilling the Workforce
Complementing the school-based AI initiative, the Dubai AI Academy was launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, during Dubai AI Week 2025. The academy operates under the umbrella of the Dubai AI Campus, the largest cluster of AI and advanced technology companies in the region, located in the DIFC Innovation Hub.
The Dubai AI Academy aims to train 10,000 individuals, offering future-ready courses in partnership with renowned institutions including Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, Udacity, and the Minerva Project. Notable programs include:
- AI for Civil Service
- Leadership in the Age of AI
These courses focus on integrating AI into government strategy and leadership, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to building both grassroots and executive AI literacy.
A National Strategy for Innovation and Growth
Together, these education initiatives reflect the UAE’s holistic approach to embedding AI across every level of society. From nurturing curiosity and skills in young children to training government officials and business leaders, the UAE is positioning itself as a global front-runner in AI education and innovation.
The integration of AI in the national curriculum and beyond supports broader goals of sustainable development, economic diversification, and technological leadership — central pillars of the UAE’s vision for the future.
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