AI literacy in UAE schools
AI is a mandatory subject in UAE public schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12, starting in the 2025-26 academic year. The Ministry of Education curriculum covers seven learning areas, from AI fundamentals to ethics and governance.
In Dubai, KHDA, DP World Foundation and MIT RAISE run a cross-subject programme for private schools in Grades 6 to 8, with short modules across six subjects. It is in its pilot phase and runs until 2030. In Abu Dhabi, ADEK’s updated Curriculum Policy asks private schools to include AI literacy in their academic plans, with compliance expected by the 2026-27 academic year.
AILitKit takes a lesson you already teach, in any subject, and adds AI literacy activities mapped to these frameworks, so British and international curriculum schools can show where AI literacy lives.
Frameworks your guides map to
Every AILitKit guide maps to the core international frameworks. Regional frameworks are suggested from your country, and you choose which ones your guides use.
- Regional2025
UAE MoE AI
UAE Ministry of Education AI Curriculum
The mandatory K-12 AI curriculum for all UAE public schools. Seven learning areas covering AI fundamentals, ethics, applications, and governance. Embedded within the "Computing, Creative Design and Innovation" subject.
Mandatory from 2025-26 academic year
- Regional2026
KHDA AI Literacy
KHDA AI Literacy Programme (Dubai Private Schools)
Cross-subject AI literacy programme for Dubai private schools, Grades 6-8. Short-format modules embedded across six subjects: Maths, Science, Computing, Art, English, and Arabic. Running until 2030. Interim domains derived from MIT RAISE. Dubai-specific domains expected from Phase 1 co-design (H1 2026).
Pilot phase: interim domains from MIT RAISE. Dubai-specific domains expected H1 2026.
- Core2024
UNESCO Student
UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Students
The global reference framework for student AI literacy. Defines what students should know and be able to do with AI across four domains, at three progression levels.
- Core2026
OECD AILit
OECD/EU AI Literacy Framework
Developed by the OECD and the European Union to define AI literacy for primary and secondary education. Nineteen competences across four domains, Engage with AI, Create with AI, Manage AI and Shape AI, each with Basic, Intermediate and Advanced learner expectations, underpinned by three strands of Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes. Published in its final form in 2026.
- Core2029
PISA 2029
PISA 2029 Media & AI Literacy Assessment
The first international assessment of 15-year-olds' AI and media literacy, scheduled for 2029. Tests students' ability to identify bias, evaluate credibility, understand algorithms, and take ethical action in AI-mediated environments.
Check safeguarding and data protection
Read more on the blog
30 March 2026
AI literacy in the UAE: what the mandatory curriculum means for British schools in Dubai
The UAE has made AI a mandatory subject. What the MoE, KHDA, MIT RAISE, and ADEK mandates mean for British schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and where to start.
26 September 2026
Abu Dhabi's AI Curriculum Begins Before Children Touch a Chatbot
Across more than 170 private schools, Abu Dhabi is building an AI literacy sequence from kindergarten to Grade 12. The early years begin with screen-free thinking.
Bring AI literacy into a lesson you already teach
Describe a lesson and get four ready-to-teach activities with coaching notes, mapped to the frameworks above.
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