UAE Ministry Of Education To Implement AI Curriculum In Public Schools From 2025-2026 Academic Year

The Ministry of Education (MoE) in the UAE has decided to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) as a formal subject in public schools, from kindergarten through Grade 12. This change will begin in the 2025-2026 academic year. The initiative aims to equip students with essential AI knowledge and skills, aligning with the UAE's focus on empowering youth to adapt to global trends and foster innovation.

In collaboration with Presight, a G42 company, AI71, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, and Emirates College for Advanced Education, this initiative supports the UAE’s vision of becoming a global leader in AI and digital transformation. The goal is to accelerate technology adoption in education, investing in people to create a future-ready education system that promotes sustainable national development.

The AI curriculum covers seven key areas: foundational concepts, data and algorithms, software use, ethical awareness, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and policies and community engagement. This comprehensive approach ensures students at all academic levels gain relevant knowledge and skills. Graduates will be well-versed in AI fundamentals and capable of applying them in daily life.

Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, stated: "Introducing AI across all public school levels is a strategic step that modernises teaching tools and supports a generation of young people who understand tech ethics and can create smart, locally relevant solutions to future challenges. The integration of AI into classrooms reflects the UAE Government’s future-focused vision, reinforcing its global leadership in innovation- and tech-driven education and supporting its goal of building a knowledge-based society and a competitive digital economy led by skilled national talent."

The curriculum is tailored for different age groups. In kindergarten, children engage with visual activities to explore AI through stories and play. Cycle 1 focuses on comparing machines to humans while developing digital thinking skills. Cycle 2 involves designing AI systems and understanding biases. Cycle 3 prepares students for higher education by teaching command engineering and simulating real-world scenarios.

This new curriculum will fit within existing school schedules without adding extra teaching hours. It will be part of the Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation subject taught by designated teachers. The MoE will provide comprehensive guides with adaptable activities, models, and lesson plans for various classroom settings.

With inputs from WAM