UAE approves AI curriculum this month for public and private schools, plans to train 22,000 teachers

The UAE approved an AI curriculum this month for public and private schools, covering data, algorithms, applications, risks and ethical use of technology. The government also plans to train 22,000 teachers and educators to use AI in teaching, assessment and lesson planning. Several schools said younger pupils are taught through screen-free "unplugged" programmes, with supervised use of approved AI tools starting around age 13.

This is a case of a national curriculum and teacher training landing at the same time, directly changing school course design, teacher capability requirements and the conditions for AI education products to enter schools. For product teams, the tiered rules of screen-free early years and supervised use from around age 13 mean school-facing AI tools need to fit age thresholds and teacher approval processes. The public information comes from media interviews with school leaders, and there is no independent data yet on curriculum implementation outcomes or student assessment results. Schools must design AI curricula by age tier, with screen-free teaching in early years and supervised tool use starting around age 13. AI education products entering UAE schools need to fit teacher approval, age limits and platform compliance requirements.