The UAE will introduce AI into its public education curriculum, with plans to include teaching AI basics and ethics to students from kindergarten to high school.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Education has announced plans to introduce AI education into the public school curriculum by 2025, as the country aims to become a leading AI developer, state-run news outlet WAM reported. The courses to be introduced will include not only the fundamental concepts of AI, but also ethics and real-world applications.

Ministry of Education introduces AI curriculum in public schools starting from 2025-2026 academic year
https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bji6z2n-ministry-education-introduces-curriculum-public

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The curriculum will be introduced for kindergarten through third-grade students in the 2025-2026 school year and will be implemented in partnership with Middle Eastern AI company G42, Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and Emirates University of Higher Education. 'This important national initiative supports the UAE's efforts to become a global leader in AI and digital transformation,' WAM said.

The AI curriculum will span seven key areas: fundamental concepts, data and algorithms, software applications, ethics, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and policy and community engagement. The goal is to provide students with the knowledge and skills appropriate for each grade level, starting from kindergarten, so that public school graduates will be familiar with the fundamentals of AI and be able to apply it to their daily lives.

The curriculum is roughly divided into four stages. In kindergarten, children will participate in 'visual and interactive activities' and learn about AI and digital technologies through stories and play. The next stage, Cycle 1, will develop digital thinking skills by comparing machines and humans, while Cycle 2 will focus on designing and evaluating AI systems, bias and algorithms, and ethical use. Cycle 3 will teach command engineering and simulate real-world applications.

These courses will not require any additional class time and will be seamlessly integrated into existing school curricula under the guidance of designated teachers as part of Computing, Creative Design and Innovation subjects.

'Introducing AI to all public schools is a strategic step to modernize educational tools and empower a younger generation that understands technology ethics and can develop smart, local solutions to the challenges of the future,' said Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education.

He added: 'Integrating AI into education reflects the UAE Government's future-oriented vision and strengthens its global leadership in innovation and technology-driven education, supporting its goal of building a knowledge-based society and a competitive digital economy driven by a skilled national talent.'

Sheikha Mariam bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairperson of the Council for Education, Human and Community Development, said: 'Integrating AI into school curricula at all levels is not just an education reform, it is a strategic investment in young minds, empowering them to become architects of the future they will inherit and help shape.'

Economic media outlet Bloomberg argued that 'NVIDIA is considering relaxing restrictions on semiconductor sales to the UAE, which, if this comes to fruition, could give the UAE an advantage in the AI race.'