UAE kids will learn about AI much before they learn Algebra

AI

Kids in the UAE are about to get a serious head start on the future. From the 2025–26 academic year, artificial intelligence will officially become part of the school curriculum for everyone from kindergarteners to 12th graders.

The idea is to help students not just understand how AI works, but also learn where it fits into the real world—and why it's important to use it responsibly. So it’s not just about coding and algorithms, but also about ethics and big-picture thinking.

This move puts the UAE in the fast lane when it comes to digital education. In fact, it’s joining a growing club of countries racing to bring AI into classrooms. Just last month, China announced similar plans to teach AI in its primary and secondary schools.

But the UAE’s ambition goes far beyond the classroom. The country is also investing big in AI infrastructure, data centers, and even a dedicated AI investment fund that could cross a whopping $100 billion in the next few years. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman even called the UAE a potential “regulatory sandbox” for the world—basically a place where AI tech can be tested and rules can be shaped.

And there’s more brewing on the international front. The US is reportedly thinking about easing restrictions on chipmaker Nvidia’s sales to the UAE. That could give the country a major edge in the regional AI race, especially with a visit from former US President Donald Trump expected soon.

So, what does this mean for students in the UAE? Well, while kids elsewhere might still be learning about long division, UAE students could soon be discussing machine learning and the ethics of AI. The future is coming—and in the UAE, it’s arriving straight to the classroom.