UAE to Introduce Artificial Intelligence as Core Subject Across All Government Schools

In a landmark move aimed at future-proofing its education system, the United Arab Emirates will introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a formal subject across all government schools — from kindergarten through Grade 12 — starting in the upcoming academic year.

The initiative, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, forms part of the nation’s broader strategy to equip future generations with the skills required for a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

“As part of the UAE’s long-term plans to prepare future generations for a different future, a new world, and advanced skills, the UAE government today approved the final curriculum to introduce ‘Artificial Intelligence’ as a subject across all stages of government education,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a statement on social media.

The curriculum will focus not only on the technical aspects of AI — such as machine learning, data science, algorithms, and robotics — but also on ethical considerations, real-world applications, and AI’s broader societal impact. The Ministry of Education has worked in collaboration with international academic experts to ensure the curriculum meets global standards and prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of an AI-driven world.

“This is about preparing our children for a time unlike ours,” Sheikh Mohammed added. “We must give them new tools and capabilities that guarantee the UAE’s ongoing development and leadership in decades to come.”

Supporting this educational shift, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi — the world’s first graduate-level research university focused on AI — continues to play a key role in building national capacity, advancing research, and supporting public-private partnerships in the AI space.

In a parallel effort, the Dubai AI Academy was launched earlier this year by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The academy is part of the Dubai AI Campus at the DIFC Innovation Hub and aims to train 10,000 professionals. Programmes will include “AI for Civil Service” and “Leadership in the Age of AI,” developed in collaboration with leading institutions such as Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, Udacity, and the Minerva Project.

“Dubai will be the destination of choice for those who are seeking to lead the future of artificial intelligence,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

Together, these initiatives reflect the UAE’s ambitious vision to become a global hub for AI innovation, positioning education at the heart of its national development agenda.