Abu Dhabi schools integrate AI Literacy into curriculum
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The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is implementing an AI Literacy initiative in over 170 private schools throughout the United Arab Emirates.
ADEK designed the program to build students’ AI capabilities from kindergarten to grade 12 while prioritizing their wellbeing. Younger students will focus on critical thinking with screen-free activities before gradually using AI tools. As students progress, they will learn to evaluate AI results, create AI solutions, and understand responsible AI governance.
ADEK intends for AI to support student thinking, not replace it, and has created safeguards to prevent overreliance on the technology and protect cognitive development. By grade 12, students will design AI systems and scalable solutions. The initiative uses a framework informed by organizations like the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
ADEK developed a curriculum with learning outcomes across four areas, understanding AI concepts, critical evaluation, solution design, and responsible governance, and will measure student progress using the AI Growth Test, given twice yearly to students in grades 4 to 12. ADEK also requires schools to follow a Technology and AI Policy ensuring data protection, student privacy, and ethical AI use. To support teachers, ADEK plans to train 19,000 educators through a three-level professional development program.
This program will cover core AI concepts, ethical use, and how to integrate AI into lesson plans. ADEK expects this initiative will develop students who can use AI critically and ethically to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s wellbeing.
