DUBAI — May 5, 2025:
In a landmark move to position itself as a global leader in technological innovation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) education for students of all ages, beginning with the next academic year.
The initiative, spearheaded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE, will incorporate AI instruction into the curriculum of government schools, including kindergartens.
Announcing the decision on Sunday via X (formerly Twitter), Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the dual goals of the program: to instill a deep technical understanding of AI in students and to foster a strong awareness of the ethical implications of using such technologies.
“Our goal is to teach our children a deep understanding of AI from a technical perspective, while also fostering their awareness of the ethics of this new technology,” Sheikh Mohammed stated.
“Our responsibility is to equip our children for a time unlike ours, with conditions different from ours.”
The policy reflects the UAE’s broader national strategy to lead in AI development and digital transformation. The country established the world’s first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and is home to MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence), the world’s first graduate-level AI university, located in Abu Dhabi.
By embedding AI education into early schooling, the UAE seeks to prepare a generation equipped to thrive in a tech-driven future, while also embedding principles of responsible innovation.
This education reform complements the UAE’s ambitions to diversify its economy beyond oil. The Gulf nation, a major energy exporter, has invested heavily in AI, smart city projects, and high-tech infrastructure.
In addition, the UAE recently pledged €30–50 billion to build a massive AI data center in France, signaling its intent to become a central hub in the global AI ecosystem. The move also demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to international collaboration in technology and research.
