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UAE AI curriculum: what is national policy and what schools are doing in practice
What is confirmed nationally
On 2 September 2026, the UAE Cabinet approved implementation of an AI curriculum across all public and private schools. It covers technical foundations, ethics, data, algorithms, applications and risks. The Cabinet also reviewed a plan to train 22,000 teachers and educators to use AI in teaching, assessment, curriculum analysis and lesson planning.
What schools are doing in practice
Reporting on 24 September shows some younger learners being introduced to AI through play, stories, sorting, discussion and other low-screen or screen-free activities. GEMS Education says pupils under 13 in its schools focus on teacher-led awareness rather than independently creating generative-AI accounts. From around 13, supervised use of approved tools can begin.
Status check
CONFIRMED CABINET POLICY / IMPLEMENTATION DECISION — NOT LEGISLATION OR A PROPOSAL. The GEMS under-13 safeguard is a school-group policy, not a UAE-wide age law. Separately, ADEK has confirmed screen-free early-years AI literacy across more than 170 Abu Dhabi private schools; that is an emirate-level initiative, not a national rule.
Why this matters for inclusive learning
The approach separates AI literacy from constant device use. Younger learners can build understanding through play, discussion and critical thinking first, while later tool use is supervised and age-appropriate.
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