In Abu Dhabi, ADEK is rolling out AI literacy across more than 170 private schools from KG to Grade 12, with a twice-yearly AI Growth Test for Grades 4–12. Schools must use AI tools that meet ADEK’s requirements. In Dubai, KHDA runs an AI literacy programme for Grades 6–8 with DP World Foundation and MIT RAISE until February 2030.
What does ADEK’s AI Literacy initiative require?
ADEK’s initiative sets a curriculum framework, a school-level assessment and a teacher training programme, and it puts obligations on schools’ AI tools. It was announced on 17 September 2026.
| Element | What ADEK says |
|---|---|
| Scope | ”More than 170 private schools”, KG to Grade 12, with “age-appropriate, screen-free experiences” in the early years |
| Assessment | The AI Growth Test, “a standardised school-level AI assessment conducted twice a year for students in Grades 4–12” |
| Curriculum strands | AI conceptual understanding; critical evaluation and informed interaction; AI solution design and development; responsible governance, data privacy and societal impact |
| Delivery | Built into existing subjects, taught as a hybrid, or taught as a standalone subject |
| Teachers | ”A structured three-level professional development programme, with 19,000 educators targeted for training” |
| Tools | ”Schools are required to use AI learning tools that meet ADEK requirements and maintain the digital infrastructure and staff capabilities” |
| Advisers | OECD, MIT, Microsoft and Khalifa University |
The same announcement refers to ADEK’s in-school Technology and AI Policy. It sets safeguards in six areas: data protection and student privacy, cognitive agency, academic integrity, human oversight of AI-generated decisions, content safety and cultural alignment with UAE values, and algorithmic fairness.
ADEK’s announcement does not give a start date or say whether every private school must take part. Schools should confirm both with ADEK directly.
What is the AI Growth Test?
The AI Growth Test is ADEK’s standardised assessment of AI literacy, sat twice a year by students in Grades 4–12. It is a school-level assessment, so leaders should expect results to be compared across schools, much like other ADEK benchmark data. ADEK has not published its format or scoring in the announcement.
What does KHDA require on AI literacy in Dubai?
KHDA’s programme is a partnership, not a published mandate. According to the Dubai Media Office (4 February 2026), KHDA, DP World Foundation and MIT RAISE will “build foundational, responsible AI understanding for students in Grades 6–8 (Years 7-9)”. The programme runs until February 2030.
- Reach: “around 80,500 students supported by roughly 3,600 teachers through a phased approach”, moving from co-design to pilots to a wider launch.
- Subjects: AI is taught through mathematics, science, computing, art, English and Arabic.
- Older students: a high-school enrichment programme runs during school breaks.
The announcement does not say participation is compulsory. KHDA’s separate staff code of conduct does bind every Dubai private school employee. It requires staff to use AI “legally, ethically and transparently” and not “to replace human judgment in student-related matters”.
Does the UAE’s national AI curriculum apply to private schools?
Not on current evidence. The Ministry of Education made AI an official subject from KG to Grade 12 from 2025-26, but its announcement covers “the public-school curriculum” only (WAM). In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, private schools follow KHDA and ADEK respectively.
| Abu Dhabi (ADEK) | Dubai (KHDA) | UAE public schools (MoE) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grades | KG–Grade 12 | Grades 6–8 | KG–Grade 12 |
| Assessment | AI Growth Test, twice a year, Grades 4–12 | Not stated | Not stated |
| Delivery | Integrated, hybrid or standalone | Through six existing subjects | Within Computing, Creative Design and Innovation |
| Tools rule | AI tools must meet ADEK requirements | Staff code of conduct on AI use | — |
| Timeline | Announced 17 September 2026 | Until February 2030 | From 2025-26 |
What should British-curriculum schools do in 2026-27?
Start with what is already confirmed, and do it before the first AI Growth Test window.
- Audit AI tools against ADEK’s six safeguard areas, and keep a register of approved tools.
- Map the four ADEK strands onto existing Cambridge or Edexcel lessons. Most schools already cover data and algorithms in computing, and evaluation of sources in English and humanities.
- Book teacher training. ADEK’s three-level programme targets 19,000 educators, so places will matter.
- Update the school AI policy. Our AI policy template for international schools includes a regulator annex for KHDA and ADEK.
- Brief inspection leads. KHDA’s 2026-27 inspection visits come with no more than 24 hours’ notice.
How schools do this with AI Buddy
AI Buddy gives students supervised AI study support: instant, marked feedback on past-paper-style questions in 26 IGCSE and A Level subjects. Teachers see every student’s activity through their dashboards. Hosting is GDPR-compliant and encrypted, and a white-labelled deployment keeps the tool under the school’s own name. These points fall under ADEK’s data protection, human oversight and academic integrity areas. Whether a given tool meets ADEK’s requirements is for ADEK and the school to confirm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the KHDA AI literacy programme?
A programme by KHDA, DP World Foundation and MIT RAISE teaching responsible AI to Grades 6–8 through six subjects. It reaches around 80,500 students and runs until February 2030.
What is the ADEK AI Growth Test?
A standardised school-level AI literacy assessment sat twice a year by students in Grades 4–12 in Abu Dhabi private schools.
Do UAE private schools have to teach an AI curriculum?
The national KG–12 AI subject applies to public schools. Abu Dhabi private schools follow ADEK’s AI Literacy initiative, and Dubai private schools follow KHDA, whose programme covers Grades 6–8.
Do Abu Dhabi schools need approved AI tools?
Yes. ADEK says schools must use AI learning tools that meet ADEK requirements and maintain the digital infrastructure and staff capability to use them.
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Sources
- Abu Dhabi Media Office, ADEK advances AI Literacy initiative across 170 private schools (17 September 2026)
- Dubai Media Office, DP World Foundation, KHDA and MIT RAISE launch AI literacy programme (4 February 2026)
- WAM, Ministry of Education introduces AI curriculum in public schools (4 May 2025)
- KHDA, School Teacher Recruitment and Mobility Guide (September 2025)
- ADEK, Digital Policy