Saudi Arabia launches AI school curriculum
New Saudi AI curricula introduced as six million children start school
#SaudiArabia #education - Saudi Arabia's National Curriculum Center this week launched one of the world's first comprehensive national AI curriculum, spanning elementary school through university level. The new curriculum is being introduced for the 2025-2026 academic year, as six million children start back school across the Kingdom's public school system. The Ministry of Education collaborated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) to create age-appropriate AI modules featuring interactive and hands-on teaching methods, directly supporting the Human Capability Development Program.
SO WHAT? - The new curriculum launch is one of the largest national AI education deployments in a school system globally, as Saudi Arabia integrates artificial intelligence learning from elementary through higher education levels. The comprehensive approach demonstrates unprecedented government commitment to AI literacy development, potentially creating long-term competitive advantages for Saudi students in future technology careers.
Here are some key details about the new school AI curriculum:
Saudi Arabia's National Curriculum Center has launched one of the world's first comprehensive national AI curriculum, spanning elementary school through university level for the 2025-2026 academic year, as six million children start back school across the Kingdom's public school system.
The Ministry of Education collaborated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) to create age-appropriate AI modules featuring interactive and hands-on teaching methods, directly supporting the Human Capability Development Program.
Regional deployment of the new curriculum takes in Riyadh, which this week welcomes 2.84 million students in 6,873 schools, Eastern Region with 700,000 students, Qassim with 320,000 enrolled, and Aseer with 525,595 students across 3,430 schools.
The Saudi Ministry of Education and SDAIA recently issued guidance for ethical and responsible generative AI usage in general education, preserving teachers' central role whilst supporting enhanced learning processes through AI tools.
The Saudi Academic Framework for AI Qualifications ensures academic institutions' curricula meet global standards, boosting employer confidence in AI graduates' competence and preparing students for international technology careers.
ZOOM OUT - Saudi Arabia's school AI curriculum is being deployed in the same timeframe as school AI curricula in the UAE, The UAE Cabinet approved nationwide AI education for all government school students in May, and is now implementing AI lessons from kindergarten to grade 12. Both Gulf nations are now leading a regional transformation in AI education, with only China having announced comparably extensive AI curriculum policies. This reflects intensifying competition between Gulf Cooperation Council countries to establish AI leadership and build a pipeline of talent to drive the digital economy.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read more about AI curricula in schools:
UAE deploys 1,000 school teachers for AI curriculum (Middle East AI News)
Saudi to deploy nationwide AI education in schools (Middle East AI News)
UAE moves to embed AI learning across school system (Middle East AI News)