United Arab Emirates Introduces Compulsory AI Education from Kindergarten, Encouraging Global Adoption
The United Arab Emirates has undertaken a far-reaching initiative to make artificial intelligence (AI) a mandatory subject for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, AI lessons will be integrated into the core curriculum of every public school, with private schools likely following suit under national guidelines.
The comprehensive new AI curriculum, approved by the UAE Cabinet in May 2025, is organized into seven age-appropriate learning areas: foundational concepts, data and algorithms, software use, ethical awareness, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and policies and community engagement. Through these topics, students will learn the fundamentals of AI at each grade level—from comparing machines and humans in lower grades to designing AI systems and understanding algorithmic bias in middle school.
In the final school years, students will even practice prompt engineering and simulate real-world AI scenarios, preparing them for university and careers. The AI material will be incorporated into existing classes under the Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation subject, without extending school hours, and will be taught by specially trained teachers. The Education Ministry offers detailed guides, lesson plans, and model activities to support teachers in delivering content.
As the UAE government views this initiative as a strategic investment in the nation's future, Sarah Al Amiri, UAE's Minister of Education, stated that the move modernizes teaching tools and equips young people with a tech-driven education that includes an understanding of tech ethics and the ability to create smart, locally relevant solutions to future challenges.
In line with the UAE's national AI strategy and vision for a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy, the government hopes to foster home-grown tech talent by embedding AI literacy early, thereby decreasing reliance on foreign expertise and enhancing economic competitiveness and technological sovereignty in the Middle East. The move follows a directive from the leaders of the UAE, headed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Vice President, who announced AI's compulsory inclusion in schools as part of broad reforms to embrace AI in governance, education, and industry.
Major stakeholders in the tech and education sectors—such as Presight, AIQ, MBZUAI (the UAE's dedicated AI university), the Emirates College for Advanced Education, and Code.org—are partnering with the Ministry of Education to develop content, platforms, and train teachers. These collaborative efforts allow the UAE to swiftly transition from planning to nationwide implementation in under two years.
There are few countries that have moved as quickly as the UAE to mandate AI education for all students. While the European Union encourages member countries to update curricula for the digital age—including AI and data literacy—education remains a national competence and progress varies by country. The United States, for instance, does not have a national K-12 AI curriculum mandate, with education standards set primarily at the state or local level. Some U.S. states have begun to act by encouraging AI concepts in the curriculum or developing AI education frameworks, but a student’s exposure to AI may depend largely on their location.
There are stark contrasts between the UAE's proactive approach and the slow or fragmented efforts in other countries, including developed economies. China, for example, announced that all primary and secondary schools nationwide would include mandatory AI instruction starting in first grade by September 2025. The Chinese government aims to create a massive pipeline of AI-capable workers and researchers by exposing 200+ million students to AI basics, while investment in AI labs for schools and teacher training programs supports this push for technological sovereignty.
In emerging economies, AI education is still in its infancy, with most efforts centered on basic digital literacy and expanding access to technology in schools. Very few low-income or developing nations have formal AI curriculum plans yet, primarily due to restricted resources, a lack of trained teachers, and pressing educational priorities. Singapore, a high-income city-state, has pioneered AI education in schools, while South Korea has integrated AI topics into its curriculum, positioning itself as a trendsetter in the region.
The UAE's leadership underscores the strategic importance of AI education, combining rapid implementation with a clear vision for a knowledge-driven, innovation-focused national economy. By embracing AI education, the UAE stands to become a regional leader in this dynamic and essential field.
- The UAE's AI curriculum, introduced in the 2025-2026 academic year, encompasses seven age-appropriate learning areas, including real-world applications, which will prepare students for university and careers by practicing prompt engineering and simulating AI scenarios.
- As part of the UAE's national AI strategy, the government aims to foster home-grown tech talent by embedding AI literacy early, thereby decreasing reliance on foreign expertise and enhancing economic competitiveness and technological sovereignty in the Middle East. This approach, such as the UAE's, is notably different from the slow or fragmented efforts in other developed economies, where AI education is still in its infancy or remains a local issue.
