UAE to introduce AI as subject for public schools
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UAE will introduce "Artificial Intelligence" as a dedicated subject across all government schools, starting from the next academic year. The subject will be integrated from kindergarten through Grade 12, making the UAE one of the first countries to embed AI learning throughout all levels of public education.
The announcement was made on Sunday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, through a post on X. He said that the move aligns with "UAE’s long-term plans to prepare future generations for a different future, a new world".
The AI curriculum will include key concepts such as data and algorithms, software application, ethical awareness in AI, real-world AI applications, AI-driven innovation and project design, AI policies and social engagement. Minister of Education Sarah Bint Yousef Al Amiri confirmed that teachers will be equipped with comprehensive support materials.
“The authority will provide teachers with comprehensive resources, including activities, templates and ready-to-use lesson plans adaptable to diverse classroom settings”, she said.
Highlighting the broader vision, Sheikh Mohammed said, “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 further noted the dual emphasis of the programme—technical depth and ethical grounding.
“Our goal is to teach 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".
The initiative builds upon existing efforts within the country to boost AI readiness. Last year, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, launched a programme to train teachers in AI and its applications. The initiative coincided with the launch of the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI).
