UAE Launches First AI Curriculum in National Education Push
▼ Summary
– The UAE is launching its first fully resourced AI literacy curriculum for schools, covering Key Stage 1–3 (Years 1–9) with complete lesson plans and resources.
– This initiative aligns with the UAE Ministry of Education’s plan to integrate AI as a subject in all public-school grades from kindergarten to Grade 12 starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.
– The curriculum, developed with teachers and AI experts and benchmarked internationally, includes a rollout plan with teacher training in 2026 and accreditation services by 2027.
– It aims to equip students with essential AI knowledge and skills, tailored to each academic level, to prepare them for the future workforce and drive innovation.
– The AI curriculum will be integrated into existing school schedules without extra teaching hours and includes bilingual resources in Arabic from the second year.
The United Arab Emirates has officially launched its first national artificial intelligence curriculum, marking a major step in its strategy to become a global leader in the AI sector. This initiative introduces a fully developed AI literacy program for Key Stages 1 through 3, equipping schools with all necessary materials to begin instruction immediately. The curriculum includes complete lesson plans, hands-on activities, and classroom-ready resources designed to make AI education both accessible and practical from the very first day.
This educational rollout is closely aligned with the UAE Ministry of Education’s broader announcement to integrate AI as a formal subject across all public schools. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, students from kindergarten through Grade 12 will engage with AI concepts as part of their standard studies. The program aims to provide every public school graduate with a solid understanding of AI fundamentals and the ability to apply this knowledge in real-world situations.
Developed through collaboration between educators and AI specialists, the curriculum has been benchmarked against international standards, including the frameworks anticipated for PISA 2029. Initial pilot programs are already active at Haileybury Astana, part of the respected British Haileybury network, offering valuable feedback before a nationwide and eventual regional expansion in the coming months.
A phased implementation plan is in place, beginning in 2025 with classroom-ready content for Years 1 through 9. The following year will see the introduction of accredited professional development training for teachers to build lasting expertise. By 2027, accreditation services will be available to help schools validate their capability to deliver high-quality AI education. Starting in the program’s second year, Arabic-language resources will also be introduced to support bilingual instruction throughout the region.
The ministry’s AI curriculum is structured around seven core learning areas: foundational concepts, data and algorithms, software utilization, ethical awareness, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and policies with community engagement. Each component is carefully tailored to suit different academic levels, ensuring age-appropriate and effective learning.
For the youngest learners in kindergarten, the curriculum uses visual and interactive activities, including storytelling and play, to introduce basic ideas about AI and digital technology. In Cycle 1, students compare machines and humans, build digital thinking skills, and investigate practical AI applications. Cycle 2 shifts focus to designing and evaluating AI systems, learning about algorithms and potential biases, and stressing the importance of ethical AI use. Finally, Cycle 3 prepares older students for higher education and future careers by covering prompt engineering and simulating real-world AI scenarios.
A key feature of the new curriculum is its seamless integration into the existing school timetable, requiring no additional teaching hours. Specially designated instructors will deliver the AI content as part of the established Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation subject. To support educators, the Ministry of Education will supply comprehensive teaching guides, adaptable activity models, and detailed lesson plans suitable for a variety of classroom environments.
(Source: Economy Middle East)