The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) education in its government schools starting from the age of four. The goal is to position the country as a regional AI hub and to learn from past oversights—such as failing to understand the impact of social media in time. Education Minister Sarah Al Amiri stated that the main aim of this initiative is to prepare students for future job requirements.
Despite a high standard of living in the UAE, a 2022 report revealed that students there perform below the OECD average in mathematics, reading, and science. To address this, a new “future-facing curriculum” is being implemented, which includes reforms in both AI and mathematics education.
The AI curriculum includes:
- Teaching children to analyze answers generated by tools like ChatGPT.
- Identifying bias present in AI systems.
- Lessons on ethical usage and prompt writing.
A total of 20 hours per academic year has been allocated for AI education.
Initially planned only for high school, the AI curriculum has now been extended to nursery levels due to the rapidly growing role of technology. Other countries such as China, Finland, and Singapore are also integrating AI into their education systems.
With this move, the UAE aims not only to improve its education system but also to strengthen its role in global AI leadership.