Overview
Vision
Every UAE student will graduate with practical AI literacy: the ability to use, evaluate, and think critically about AI tools.
Curriculum Framework by Stage
Cycle 1 (Grades 1-4): AI Awareness
- What is AI? (age-appropriate concepts using games and examples)
- How does a recommendation system work? (Spotify, Netflix analogies)
- AI in daily life: maps, voice assistants, cameras
- Tools: Hour of Code, MIT Scratch with AI extensions
Cycle 2 (Grades 5-8): AI Exploration
- Basic machine learning concepts (no code required)
- Data and bias: why AI can be wrong
- Building simple classifiers using Teachable Machine
- Ethics discussion: when should AI decide and when should humans?
Cycle 3 (Grades 9-12): AI Application
- Prompt engineering for productivity
- AI tool evaluation frameworks
- Building AI-powered projects (no-code AI platforms)
- AI career pathways and UAE AI industry overview
Teacher Training Programme
Minimum Competency (All Teachers): 8 hours
- Understanding what AI is and isn't
- 5 classroom-ready AI tools
- Addressing student misconceptions
- Basic prompt writing
AI Champion Teachers: 40 hours
- Advanced tool proficiency
- Lesson design with AI integration
- Student project facilitation
- Peer coaching and community of practice
Assessment Approach
AI literacy is NOT assessed with traditional tests. Use: Project-based assessment — students build something using AI.
Assessment rubric:
| Criterion | Description |
|---|---|
| AI Tool Selection | Chose appropriate tool for the task |
| Prompt Quality | Effectively communicated intent to AI |
| Critical Evaluation | Evaluated AI output for accuracy and bias |
| Ethical Consideration | Addressed data privacy or fairness concerns |
| Outcome | Achieved the intended goal |
Implementation Timeline
- Term 1: Teacher training (Cycle 3 schools first)
- Term 2: Pilot classes in 20 schools
- Term 3: Evaluation and adjustment
- Year 2: Full rollout across all school cycles