Artificial Intelligence education to be incorporated into school curriculum starting from the upcoming academic year in the United Arab Emirates.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Education has announced a groundbreaking decision to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a formal subject in the national curriculum. This move marks a qualitative transformation in global education, following in the footsteps of countries like Egypt, Singapore, India, Australia, the UK, Rwanda, and others who have already begun embedding AI into their school curricula.
Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, AI will be integrated into the existing "Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation" course. The aim is to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to understand AI principles and their daily-life applications.
The new AI subject will not require additional class hours, ensuring a balanced curriculum for students. The curriculum for the AI subject covers seven key domains: fundamental concepts, data and algorithms, software, ethical awareness, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and policies and community engagement.
Ethics will constitute a quarter of the AI curriculum, aimed at fostering students' awareness of safe and responsible use of modern technologies. This emphasis on ethical considerations reflects the Ministry's commitment to preparing students to engage with artificial intelligence as an essential tool in both their daily lives and future careers.
To ensure effective delivery of the AI subject, the Ministry has developed teaching guides with ready-made lesson plans and hands-on activities adaptable to different classroom settings. Moreover, around 1,000 teachers will be trained to deliver the AI subject across various grade levels.
Computing teachers will be responsible for delivering the AI curriculum. The AI subject will be introduced in public schools from kindergarten through Grade 12, with students in the first and second cycles having one AI class every two weeks, while students in the third cycle attending one class weekly.
The UAE AI curriculum is structured around two main pillars: computing concepts and artificial intelligence concepts. A dedicated committee will monitor teaching quality and ensure the achievement of the intended outcomes for the AI subject.
In Egypt, Artificial Intelligence and programming have been made compulsory subjects for first-year secondary students, starting this academic year. Similarly, Singapore has introduced AI as an official school subject, and it will first be applied in classes starting September 1, 2025, beginning at the elementary school level.
The integration of AI into school curricula globally signifies a recognition of the importance of AI in shaping the future. By preparing students to understand and work with AI, these initiatives aim to equip the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in a world increasingly dominated by technology.
