AI Becomes a Mandatory School Subject in the UAE

Announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the move is part of the country’s strategy to prepare the next generation for a tech-driven future. The curriculum will focus on seven key areas, including data and algorithms, programming, ethics, real-world applications, and policy.

Lessons will be age-appropriate and integrated into existing timetables, meaning no extra hours for students. To support the rollout, the Ministry of Education will provide teachers with training materials, structured lesson plans and classroom templates.

The UAE becomes one of the first countries globally to introduce AI as a mandatory subject at all school levels. The Ministry says the aim is not only to build technical knowledge, but to ensure students can use AI tools thoughtfully, ethically and effectively.