Saudi Arabia sets guidelines for using AI in education

Cairo: Saudi education authorities have set guidelines for use of artificial intelligence in the educational process in the kingdom.

The step is the result of cooperation between the Ministry of Eudcation and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).

The guidelines are designed to upgrade the quality of education and improve its outputs in an "ethical and responsible" way that ensures the preservation of the pivotal role of the teacher, supports the educational process for students, and raises parents' awareness about the technologies involved in the process, reported the Saudi news portal Akhbaar24.

The guidebook focuses on key topics in generative AI in education targeting students, teachers and parents with the aim of to raising awareness about the mechanism of generative AI, and providing guidance for using its tools ethically and responsibly while suggesting appropriate methods for its utilization.

The three-part guidebook, among other things, provides a definition of generative artificial intelligence, its outputs, mechanism of action, and education benefits. The second part features guidelines for using generative artificial intelligence and its tools in the educational process.

The third introduces students, teachers, and parents to the basics of command engineering linked to generative AI tools.

The ministry has banned the use of generative AI tools for students under the age of 13 except under direct supervision. The ministry also stressed that students under the age of 18 cannot use generative AI tools unless they obtain a clear consent from their parents, Al Yaum newspaper reported.

The related methodology has been developed in line with the guidelines issued by competent government agencies in the kingdom including SDAIA, and the National Centre for E-Learning. To this end, a comprehensive global comparative study was also conducted.