UAE to introduce AI in schools from age four as part of nationwide curriculum shift

Schools across the United Arab Emirates are preparing to integrate artificial intelligence into all levels of school curricula, following a new government directive to align the education sector with the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape and job market.

Students as young as four will now learn about AI, making the UAE one of the few countries to mandate education on this technology from the early years.

The move is reportedly part of a broader effort to prepare young people for life and work in a world increasingly shaped by automation and algorithmic systems.

Rather than treating AI as a standalone subject, the approach involves embedding AI tools and concepts across various disciplines, including digital literacy, ethics, mathematics, design, and critical thinking, WAM reported.

This will require widespread training for educators, as well as changes to classroom practice and assessment methods, the report added.

Private education providers, including GEMS Education, Taaleem, and Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, have already begun integrating AI tools into teaching, according to The National.

Students are interacting with AI-powered chatbots, translation software, and media-generation platforms, while teachers are being trained to embed AI concepts into lesson plans.

"We're launching a programme where selected teachers focus on impactful AI and EdTech use cases, promoting best practices and innovation," Baz Nijjar, vice president of Education Technology at GEMS Education, told The National.

The group is also working with Microsoft to develop tailored AI agents for classroom and school leadership use.

At Taaleem, an AI task force has been formed to guide implementation. "These steps will ensure educators are equipped to deliver high-quality, AI-informed teaching," Rebecca Gray, the group's chief education officer, told the outlet.

She added that AI was also being used to improve accessibility through real-time captioning and translation tools.

While implementation varies between institutions, education leaders say the overall shift marks a turning point in how schools think about technology.

The move comes amid broader national efforts to position the UAE as a global player in artificial intelligence.

The country has made significant investments in AI infrastructure, policy development, and industry partnerships, while also signalling long-term ambitions to integrate AI across sectors, including healthcare, logistics, and education.