- UAE integrates AI in K–12 education from 2025–26, with 'Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation' becoming a core subject nationwide.
- Students to learn hands-on AI via partnerships with Google, INJAZ UAE, MBZUAI, and more, focusing on real-world application and ethical use.
- Curriculum tailored across age groups, from playful AI stories in kindergarten to advanced concepts like prompt engineering in high school.
The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in school curricula nationwide in the UAE is a daring and forward-thinking step towards redefining the country's educational horizon in accordance with the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Appreciating the power of AI to transform, the UAE Ministry of Education has introduced a nationwide strategy to integrate AI education at all stages, from kindergarten through Grade 12, making it one of the world's first nations to do this. Starting from the 2025-2026 school year, AI will be made a core curriculum in state schools, taught under the title of 'Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation'. This method guarantees students learn age-specific AI concepts without elongating school hours or putting additional scholarly pressure on them, having a smooth integration into current curriculum structure.
In aid of this change, the Ministry of Education, in partnership with technological innovators like Google and INJAZ UAE, launched an elite training program called 'AI from Google' for Cycle 3 students. The program is meant to give hands-on experience in generative AI and distinguish it from conventional machine learning. Students learn from practical uses of AI and discover its place in major sectors such as education, the economy, and the labor market. Hands-on delivery assures that participants do not only acquire technical knowledge but also a solid foundation for applying AI in an ethical and responsible manner. Successful participants are awarded certificates jointly issued by Google and INJAZ UAE, and it is all completely free of charge.
The wider AI curriculum is being established in collaboration with leading institutions like Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), Emirates College for Advanced Education, AI71, and Presight, a G42 entity. These partnerships are supporting the development of a strong education system that enables students to transition from being passive consumers of technology to productive problem-solvers and innovators. The course work is framed around seven areas of emphasis: AI fundamentals, algorithms and data, software tools, ethical sensitivity, real-world use, innovation and project design, and participation in political and social issues.
Each level of schooling is carefully customized. Kindergarten students learn about AI through stories and play. Young primary students learn human vs. machine thinking. Middle school students grasp algorithmic design and bias, while high school students become familiar with specialized topics like prompt engineering and problem-solving in real-world contexts. The advantages of this integration are numerous spanning from customized learning and increased student motivation to streamlined administrative processes and global access to education. But challenges exist as well, from infrastructure investment and teacher training to balancing human interaction with technology. However, the UAE's embrace of AI learning represents a revolutionary step towards the digitally enlightened, future-proof generation.
