Dp world: DP World Foundation, in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (MIT RAISE), has launched a comprehensive AI literacy programme aimed at Dubai's private schools. The initiative will run until February 2030, focusing on instilling a foundational and responsible understanding of artificial intelligence in students from Grades 6 to 8 (Years 7 to 9), while also providing teachers with the necessary professional development, tools, and assessments to integrate AI learning into core subjects.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme is expected to impact approximately 80,500 students, supported by around 3,600 teachers, through a phased rollout. The first phase involves co-designing the programme with educators from selected schools to ensure its relevance and effectiveness, followed by classroom pilots and teacher training. The broader rollout will eventually span all private schools in Dubai.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, emphasized the pivotal role of AI in shaping industries and jobs, highlighting the importance of equipping young people in Dubai with practical AI skills. He stated that the programme aims to foster a deep understanding of AI among students, enabling them to question and use AI responsibly, while also empowering teachers to integrate AI literacy into everyday lessons.
Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA, remarked on the alignment of the collaboration with Dubai's Education 33 vision and the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). She noted that by embedding AI literacy into everyday learning, the initiative prepares students to critically engage with emerging technologies and contribute to a rapidly evolving economy. The programme also supports teachers by providing the necessary tools and training to lead learning in an AI-enabled world.
Professor Cynthia Breazeal, Director of MIT RAISE, highlighted the mission of MIT RAISE to expand access to AI literacy. She explained that the programme builds on global learnings and adapts them to Dubai's context, focusing on responsible practice and building local capacity.
The AI literacy programme will feature short, practical modules across six subjects: Math, Science, Computing, Art, English, and Arabic. Students will gain insights into how AI operates, how to evaluate AI outputs, and how to responsibly use AI tools in their daily classroom activities. Teachers will receive classroom-ready resources, professional development, and implementation guidance, along with access to a curated portal of AI tools designed for supervised use.
The programme comprises two main components: AI Literacy for Dubai Private Schools, targeting Grades 6-8 with a cross-subject curriculum, and AI Enrichment for High School Students, a hybrid programme adapted from MIT's Future Makers/Builders model. The enrichment component includes mentorship, team capstones, and entrepreneurial pitch-style presentations, serving 40-100 students per session and offering completion certificates and evaluations.
