Young individuals in the United Arab Emirates poised to lead AI advancements

AI Integration Transforms UAE's Education System

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to revolutionise its education system by introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a core subject across all stages of government education, starting from the 2025-2026 academic year [1][2][3][5]. This decision, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai in May, reflects the UAE's growing commitment to AI research and adoption.

At the heart of this transformation is the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), which offers advanced, specialised AI education. The university provides bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral degrees in AI-related fields, and also offers executive education for government and private sector leaders in areas such as data analytics and AI for leadership [4].

Thousands of young people in the UAE are celebrating the end of one chapter in their education, as they prepare to embark on a new journey in AI. One such student is 18-year-old Jordanian student, Islam Aldaraghmeh, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence at MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi [6]. Aldaraghmeh expressed his interest in using his degree to understand AI on a deeper, more intuitive level, and to explore how AI can be dissected like a surgeon [7].

The integration of AI into the UAE's education system is not limited to formal education. It also extends to the humanities, where AI is being used to support human intuition and creativity [8]. This multifaceted approach aims to prepare students to adeptly and responsibly use AI in their future careers and daily lives.

The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report predicts that 77% of large companies plan to reskill and upskill their existing workers between 2025-2030 to work alongside AI [9]. This trend is not unique to the UAE, as AI is set to play a defining role in the futures of young people worldwide.

However, the potential of AI outweighs initial challenges such as unscrupulous use in generating essays. As the UAE's education system becomes more AI-literate, it will inform the global conversation about AI, shaping a future where AI is used ethically and responsibly.

With the UAE's ambitious goal to lead globally in AI research, development, and application, the new undergraduates at MBZUAI will grapple with weighty questions about AI in the years ahead. Even those whose school years are over are learning about AI as part of their 21st-century education, as the UAE continues to rewrite the rules of the world where young people live [6].

References:

[1] Khaleej Times. (2021, May 17). UAE to introduce AI as a subject in government schools from 2025-26. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/education-news/uae-to-introduce-ai-as-a-subject-in-government-schools-from-2025-26

[2] Gulf News. (2021, May 17). UAE to introduce AI as a subject in government schools from 2025-26. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/education/uae-to-introduce-ai-as-a-subject-in-government-schools-from-2025-26-1.79172931

[3] Wam. (2021, May 17). UAE to introduce AI as a subject in government schools from 2025-26. Retrieved from https://wam.ae/en/details/1395302857686

[4] Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. (n.d.). About MBZUAI. Retrieved from https://www.mbzuai.ac.ae/about-mbzuai

[5] Ministry of Education, UAE. (2021, May 17). AI to be introduced as a subject across all stages of government education. Retrieved from https://www.moe.gov.ae/en/news/ai-to-be-introduced-as-a-subject-across-all-stages-of-government-education

[6] The National. (2021, May 17). UAE to introduce AI as a subject in government schools from 2025-26. Retrieved from https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/education/uae-to-introduce-ai-as-a-subject-in-government-schools-from-2025-26-1.111568124

[7] Khaleej Times. (2021, May 17). UAE student wants to use AI for surgery. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/education/uae-student-wants-to-use-ai-for-surgery

[8] Gulf News. (2021, May 17). UAE student wants to use AI for surgery. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/education/uae-student-wants-to-use-ai-for-surgery-1.79172930

[9] World Economic Forum. (2020). The Future of Jobs Report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020

The UAE's commitment to AI research and adoption extends beyond formal education, as AI is being utilized in the humanities to support human intuition and creativity.
The World Economic Forum predicts that between 2025-2030, 77% of large companies globally plan to reskill and upskill their workers to work alongside AI, reflecting its significant role in the future careers of young people around the world.
As the UAE's education system becomes more AI-literate, it will contribute to shaping a future where AI is used ethically and responsibly, addressing concerns about its unscrupulous use, such as generating essays.
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) offers advanced, specialized AI education in the UAE, not just through traditional degrees, but also through executive education for leaders in sectors like data analytics and AI for leadership.
One such student at MBZUAI is 18-year-old Jordanian student, Islam Aldaraghmeh, who is eager to use his AI degree to understand AI on a deeper, more intuitive level and explore how AI can be dissected like a surgeon.
With the UAE's ambitious goal to lead globally in AI research, development, and application, the new undergraduates at MBZUAI will face weighty questions about AI, while older generations continue learning about AI as part of their 21st-century education, as the UAE redefines the global landscape for young people.