Abu Dhabi: The UAE Ministry of Education has announced the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) as an official subject in all public schools, starting with the 2025-2026 grades, from kindergarten to 12th grade.
This major educational reform aims to prepare students to acquire basic and advanced AI knowledge and to tackle the technologies that shape the modern world.
The decision reflects the UAE's strategy to integrate digital innovation into all aspects of national development, including youth education and empowerment.
Ministry of Education will introduce AI curriculum in public schools from 2025 to 2026 pic.twitter.com/pzeoicv7p1
– uaegov (@uaemediaoffice) May 4, 2025
How can AI be taught to young learners?
The curriculum is centered around seven key themes: data and algorithms, software applications, ethical awareness, real-world use, AI innovation and project design, AI policy, and community engagement.
In kindergarten, children encounter the concept of AI through story, visuals and interactive play.
As students progress to the initial primary level, they begin comparing machine-human thinking and develop early digital perceptions.
Middle school students analyze algorithm bias and dive into design and ethics, while high school students explore command engineering and use advanced AI to solve real-world problems.
What resources do teachers get?
To support implementation, the ministry will provide comprehensive educational materials including adaptable lesson plans, classroom activities, and assessment models.
AI instructions are integrated into the existing subject of “computing, creative design, innovation” and no additional class time is required.
The program is being developed in collaboration with institutions from major countries, including Mohamed Bin Zayed University College of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), AI71 and Advanced Education at Emirates College.
This support ensures that both teachers and students receive consistent guidance and practical exposure to AI topics in line with international standards.
Why is the United Arab Emirates making this leap?
His Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, highlighted the country's strategic intentions in a tweet shared on Sunday. In the United Arab Emirates, students start from kindergarten through 12th grade in the following grades. ”
As part of a long-term plan to prepare future generations of the UAE for another future, a new world and advanced skills, the UAE government today approved the final curriculum for the introduction of “artificial intelligence” at all stages of government education.
– HH Shaik Mohammed (@hhshkmohd) May 4, 2025
The tweet confirms that the government focuses on future prevention education by having students not only technical knowledge but ethical and social awareness about AI technology.
This move places the UAE among the first countries in the world to systematically embed AI education at all school stages.
Who else drives AI education in the United Arab Emirates?
Founded by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktum, Dubai AI Academy aims to further enhance AI literacy through specialized training.
Part of the DIFC Innovation Hub's Dubai AI Campus, the Academy will work with global institutions such as Oxford Sayed Business School and Udacity to train 10,000 individuals.
The programme includes “AI for civil servants” and “Leadership in the Age of AI” that focuses on the ethical and strategic use of AI in both the public and private sectors.
Along with the new school curriculum, the initiative forms a comprehensive approach to building a digitally fluent and innovative society.
