UAE to integrate AI into school curriculum in bid for regional tech leadership
Photo: The subject will be studied by both kindergarten students and schoolchildren (Getty Images)
This year, the United Arab Emirates will introduce artificial intelligence into the curriculum of public schools. The country aims to become a regional leader in AI, reports Bloomberg.
The subject will be taught starting in the 2025-2026 school year, from kindergarten through 12th grade. According to WAM, the curriculum will cover ethical awareness, as well as foundational concepts and real-world applications.
The UAE joins a growing group of countries that are integrating AI into school education. Last month, China announced the launch of similar courses for primary and secondary school students.
Bloomberg notes that the Gulf state is actively investing in data centers to train AI models. It has also created an investment fund in the field of artificial intelligence. According to informed sources, this fund could grow to more than $100 billion in a few years.
Last year, OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman stated that the Emirates could become a "regulatory sandbox" for testing AI technologies and developing global rules to limit their use.
Meanwhile, the US is considering easing restrictions on the sale of Nvidia Corp. chips to the UAE ahead of President Donald Trump's visit, scheduled for mid-May. This could strengthen the UAE's position in the regional race for leadership in artificial intelligence. The American leader plans to visit the UAE during his trip to the Middle East, which will also include stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Previously, the UAE announced plans to invest up to $1.4 trillion over the next decade in energy, semiconductor manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and industry in the US.
The UAE plans to implement AI at the highest level
A few weeks ago, the Financial Times reported that the UAE could become the first country in the world to use artificial intelligence to create new laws and update existing legislation.
According to UAE Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the new system will make the lawmaking process faster and more accurate. The government has also approved the creation of a special agency — the Regulatory Intelligence Office — which will be responsible for implementing AI in the legislative process.
