Dubai Schools to Implement New AI Guidelines and Screen-Time Rules Next Year

Schools in Dubai are preparing for specific guidelines regarding the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms, which are expected to take effect next year. Aisha Miran, director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), stated that the organization is working to strike a balance between preparing students for a digital future and preventing excessive or inappropriate technology use.

While specific details are yet to be finalized, the upcoming guidance is expected to address how schools implement AI, the necessary safeguards, and the role of parents in managing technology usage. Speaking at a media event on Thursday, Ms. Miran emphasized the goal of establishing a clear direction for educational technology. “We want to have a very clear direction on the use of AI and technology,” she said, noting that the focus is on identifying when technology strengthens learning and when caution is required.

The KHDA is also examining the appropriate age to introduce technology into a child's education, though no definitive decisions have been made regarding age-specific limits. Instead, the authority is pursuing a balanced approach. “We cannot abandon digital technology,” Ms. Miran added. “We want to embrace it.” The policy will take into account a pupil's age and developmental stage to determine when AI and other tools can effectively enhance learning.

Additionally, the KHDA is collaborating with other authorities to promote screen-time awareness among families. Ms. Miran pointed out that schools cannot tackle this challenge alone, as children's screen consumption often continues at home. A new digital frontier is emerging as the UAE government plans to train 22,000 teachers and educators in AI for teaching, assessment, and lesson planning, following measures approved by the UAE Cabinet in September.

Rather than dictating specific AI platforms, the KHDA intends to establish standards and safeguards that schools must evaluate before adopting any technology. This framework supports Dubai's Education 33 strategy, launched in October 2024, which prioritizes future skills, critical thinking, and personalized learning.

Meanwhile, enrollment in Dubai private schools has reached approximately 406,500, marking a 4.6 per cent increase since June. To accommodate this growth, authorities are developing an education master plan to align school supply with population increases, aiming to reduce long commutes and support Dubai's ambition of becoming a 20-minute city under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.