The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to actively expand early education in artificial intelligence (AI). The plan is to introduce an AI curriculum for all grades in public schools and to foster talent at the national level.
On the 11th (local time), according to the Financial Times (FT), Sarah Al Amiri, UAE's Minister of Education, recently announced a new AI education program that encompasses students from kindergarten through high school. Minister Al Amiri noted, "Social media (SNS) such as TikTok and Instagram have had a significant impact on students' concentration and learning, but the existing education system has not responded properly to this," and added, "The education was designed to avoid repeating the same mistakes in AI education."
According to FT, this education is aimed at approximately 300,000 students currently enrolled in public schools and will be operated with a total of 20 hours annually. Initially planned for high school students, the application has been expanded to include kindergarten students due to the rapid normalization of AI technology. The educational content includes ▲ how to critically analyze the outputs of AI chatbots like ChatGPT ▲ recognizing algorithmic biases ▲ writing prompts ▲ research methods using AI ▲ plagiarism prevention measures.
Moreover, ethical AI utilization methods are also expected to be a focus. Students will learn about the standards and boundaries for morally using AI, concentrating on developing AI literacy (discernment and interpretive ability) beyond simple technical learning. The UAE Ministry of Education expects this to enhance students' problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity in the long term.
However, there are concerns that early AI education may do more harm than good. This stems from the UAE's educational reality, where academic achievement is low compared to its economic power. According to the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), UAE students scored below average in key areas such as mathematics, science, and reading, and received low evaluations in problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
In response, Minister Al Amiri remarked, "The logic that advanced education should be delayed due to low basic achievement is not correct," and argued, "A future-oriented curriculum can stimulate learning motivation and lead to improved outcomes." The UAE Ministry of Education is also simultaneously working on overall educational improvements, including a comprehensive overhaul of mathematics education, alongside the expansion of AI education.
The UAE's actions are aligned with the global trend of strengthening AI education. China has already implemented AI classes for elementary school students, and Finland offers basic AI education to all its citizens. Singapore operates a customized learning system utilizing AI along with real-time feedback. The UAE is taking steps to compete with these countries and is accelerating educational innovation to become 'the AI hub of the Middle East.'
Furthermore, the UAE continues to make substantial investments in AI as part of its strategy to break away from an oil-dependent economic structure. The representative AI corporation G42 is collaborating with Microsoft and U.S. semiconductor startup Cerebras, while the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund MGX has launched an AI infrastructure fund worth $30 billion (approximately 40 trillion won). The government has also formalized plans to utilize AI technology in the legislative process.