UAE schools to introduce AI curriculum in new academic year

The 2025–2026 academic year in the UAE brings a series of major updates announced by the Ministry of Education, aimed at enhancing the quality of the education system, balancing learning with family life, keeping pace with global changes, and strengthening national identity from early stages. Among the most significant of these updates is the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a subject within the public school system.

The Ministry of Education has announced the introduction of Artificial Intelligence as a formal subject, to be integrated into the national curriculum across public schools from kindergarten through Grade 12, starting in the 2025–2026 academic year. The new curriculum is designed to introduce students to AI concepts and their practical applications, while also raising awareness of its ethical dimensions. The aim is to prepare a generation equipped with the tools and skills of the future. The curriculum covers seven key domains: fundamental concepts, data and algorithms, software, ethical awareness, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and policies and community engagement.

The Ministry confirmed that the new subject will not require additional class hours, as it will be integrated into the existing “Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation” course, and taught by the same teachers. To support this, the Ministry has developed teaching guides with ready-made lesson plans and hands-on activities adaptable to different classroom settings.

From kindergarten, children will be introduced to technology through visual activities and educational storytelling. In Cycle One, students will learn the basics of how machines work; in Cycle Two, they will progress to designing models and training AI systems; and by Cycle Three, they will engage with prompt engineering and real-world applications, preparing them for higher education and the job market.

The integration of AI into school curricula marks a qualitative transformation in global education. Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, UAE students across all public schools will study Artificial Intelligence as an official subject, from kindergarten to Grade 12.

This initiative aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to understand AI principles and their daily-life applications, in line with the nation’s vision of enabling young generations to adapt to global transformations and drive innovative solutions.

The Ministry of Education revealed that around 1,000 teachers will deliver the subject across various grade levels, ensuring systematic implementation throughout all stages.

The UAE’s AI curriculum spans seven main areas: fundamental concepts, data and algorithms, software use, ethical awareness, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and policies and community engagement. The structure takes into account the different age groups and the knowledge and skills required at each stage of schooling.

With this step, the UAE joins the ranks of pioneering countries worldwide that have made Artificial Intelligence a formal subject in school education.

Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, announced during a media briefing held in Dubai last week that, for the first time, the 2025–2026 academic year will see the gradual introduction of an Artificial Intelligence curriculum in schools. Under the plan, students in the first and second cycles will have one AI class every two weeks, while students in the third cycle will attend one class weekly. More than 1,000 specialized teachers, who have completed advanced training programs, will deliver the subject, supported by a dedicated committee tasked with monitoring teaching quality and ensuring the achievement of the intended outcomes.

The curriculum is designed to prepare students to engage with artificial intelligence as an essential tool in both their daily lives and future careers, with a focus on responsible and effective use that enhances their skills and adaptability to future demands.

She explained that the curriculum is structured around two main pillars: computing concepts and artificial intelligence concepts, with an emphasis on practical and ethical dimensions. Notably, ethics will constitute a quarter of the curriculum, aimed at fostering students’ awareness of safe and responsible use of modern technologies in both academic and daily contexts. Computing teachers will be responsible for delivering the AI curriculum, providing lessons that extend beyond the UAE’s schools to contribute valuable insights to the global education system.

Globally, several countries have already begun embedding AI into school curricula, either as standalone subjects or integrated into other courses. For instance, India launched the “SOAR” initiative for students from Grades 6 to 12 to promote AI literacy, while Singapore integrated AI modules into its computer science curriculum at the primary level.

Australia has adopted a national AI framework for schools, and the UK launched the “TECHFIRST” program to train one million secondary students in AI skills. Similarly, several African countries, including Rwanda, have introduced AI concepts within technology curricula. Egypt also announced the adoption of Artificial Intelligence and programming as a compulsory subject for first-year secondary students starting this academic year.