ABU DHABI, May 5: In a groundbreaking move, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will implement artificial intelligence (AI) as a mandatory subject across all government schools beginning the next academic year. This ambitious initiative positions the UAE as a global leader in educational innovation, aimed at preparing students for a future shaped by rapid technological advancements.
Announcing the initiative on social media, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, emphasized the importance of equipping the country’s youth with both the technical and ethical understanding of AI. “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 stated.
The new AI curriculum will span the entire school journey—from kindergarten through Grade 12—making the UAE one of the first countries globally to integrate AI education so comprehensively. The Ministry of Education has designed a balanced curriculum that focuses not only on technical skills like data, algorithms, and applications but also on ethical considerations and potential risks associated with AI technologies.
This initiative is part of the UAE’s larger vision to foster a technologically adept workforce capable of leading and innovating in an AI-driven world. By introducing AI at an early age, the country aims to normalize technological fluency and nurture critical thinking in its youngest citizens.
The move is a reflection of the UAE’s forward-thinking approach to education reform, acknowledging that future economic and social challenges will demand new competencies and mindsets. With this curriculum, the UAE seeks to sustain its developmental momentum and enhance its position in the global knowledge economy.
