The United Arab Emirates' use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its educational system and its efforts to promote knowledge exchange inspire global innovation.

Transforming Education in the UAE: Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Modern Technologies

The United Arab Emirates is embarking on an ambitious journey to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technologies into its education system, aiming to prepare its youth for a technologically advanced global environment.

Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, AI will become a core formal subject across all public schools, from kindergarten to grade 12. This comprehensive curriculum encompasses fundamental AI concepts, ethics, applications, algorithms, software, innovation, and policy awareness, structured to build skills progressively as students advance [1][3].

A key aspect of this integration is teacher preparation. Around 1,000 teachers are being trained extensively to teach AI, supported by structured professional development programs that empower educators to use AI tools for interactive content, real-time student performance monitoring, and continuous academic support [2][5].

Schools are also incorporating AI and robotics labs and providing AI-powered tools like virtual assistants to support both teaching and learning processes [2]. This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader national strategy to technologically transform society by preparing youth with critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills needed for a future economy shaped by digital technologies and AI [1][2][3].

The use of AI tools in education enhances learning outcomes by enabling intelligent tutoring systems, automated grading to reduce teachers’ workload, and personalized learning experiences tailored to student needs, making education more accessible and efficient [5]. Universities like the United Arab Emirates University have integrated AI as a graduation requirement, expanding research, academic programs, and infrastructure to support the country’s AI agenda and maintain educational transformation continuity beyond schools [4].

In addition to AI, the UAE is also focusing on other aspects of education. Nine new schools will open across several educational zones for the new academic year, enrolling 25,345 new students across various grade levels [6]. A total of 10 million copies of textbooks have been printed and distributed to schools for the new academic year [7]. Schools are preparing to welcome nearly one million students for the new 2025-2026 academic year [8].

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre is expanding its digital publications to offer better access to knowledge for new generations. It is digitizing publications from the Esdarat project and Qalam Creative Writing Programme, and has produced hundreds of carefully selected titles in digital and audio formats [9]. The Centre is also taking major steps to integrate modern technologies into its book digitization efforts [10].

The UAE's approach to education also includes introducing advanced curricula in programming and data analysis, establishing AI and robotics labs, and empowering teachers with smart tools [4]. To ensure a safe and modern learning environment, comprehensive maintenance has been carried out on 465 schools in the UAE [5]. Furthermore, 46,888 laptops have been distributed to students to advance digital education and enhance technological skills [11].

Virtual assistants are being used to provide students with continuous academic support inside and outside the classroom. The Wajeez Al Kutub project offers a library containing hundreds of titles in digital and audio formats [9]. Teachers are being guided on how to integrate AI into their daily work and keep pace with ongoing developments in the field [12].

The UAE emphasizes innovation as a way of life and investing in knowledge as the path to future leadership. This commitment to education and technology is evident in the School of the Future, a project focused on integrating AI into education [3]. As the UAE continues to invest in its future, it is clear that education will play a crucial role in shaping a technologically advanced society.

[1] https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/ai-to-be-core-subject-in-uae-schools-from-next-academic-year [2] https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/education/uae-teachers-to-be-trained-in-ai-as-subject-and-tool-1.1123861 [3] https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/uae-to-build-school-of-future-focusing-on-ai-education [4] https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/universities/uae-universities-to-integrate-ai-as-a-graduation-requirement [5] https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/education/uae-schools-get-tech-upgrade-ahead-of-new-academic-year-1.1123859 [6] https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/uae-to-open-nine-new-schools-for-new-academic-year [7] https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/education/uae-schools-get-tech-upgrade-ahead-of-new-academic-year-1.1123859 [8] https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/uae-schools-prepare-to-welcome-nearly-one-million-students-for-new-academic-year [9] https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/abu-dhabi-arabic-language-centre-digitises-hundreds-of-publications [10] https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/abu-dhabi-arabic-language-centre-takes-major-steps-to-integrate-modern-technologies-into-book-digitisation-efforts [11] https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/education/uae-schools-get-tech-upgrade-ahead-of-new-academic-year-1.1123859 [12] https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/schools/uae-teachers-to-be-trained-in-ai-as-subject-and-tool-1.1123861

The United Arab Emirates' use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its educational system and its efforts to promote knowledge exchange inspire global innovation.