BATOOL GHAITH (DUBAI)
In a rapidly evolving digital world, the UAE's decision to introduce artificial intelligence into its national school curriculum from kindergarten has garnered global recognition.
Speaking to Aletihad on the sidelines the World Governments Summit 2026, Professor John Chi-Kin Lee, President of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), applauded the UAE's bold move and outlined how educators can be empowered to support the country's transition to a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
As the UAE realises its ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence and future industries, education is emerging as a cornerstone of that transformation, he said.
"As one of the first countries globally to implement a nationwide AI curriculum from the age of four, the UAE is ensuring that future generations grow not only as consumers of technology, but also as creators and innovators," Prof Lee added.
He stressed that educators are central to this vision, explaining that their role goes beyond teaching computing skills."Teachers must help students understand AI's ethical dimensions, foster responsible use, and cultivate the human values that technology alone cannot provide," he said.
Prof Lee pointed out that a quarter of the new curriculum is dedicated to safe and responsible AI use, reflecting this priority, and noted that similar initiatives in Beijing show the UAE is part of a wider global movement.
To make this shift effective, he said a multi-pronged approach is required, including teacher training in AI literacy, continuous professional development, and active participation in research and national strategies.
"Education will evolve with AI, not compete against it," he said, adding that teachers of all subjects must be equipped with instructional design skills, best practices, and age-specific resources.
He referenced UAE initiatives such as the Afaq Programme, which aims to enhance educator readiness, as educators themselves must also develop a critical understanding of AI's societal impacts to guide thoughtful classroom discussions.
Turning to structural reform, Prof Lee said elevating educators into active contributors to economic diversification requires scaling up teacher training, embedding AI literacy across disciplines, and strengthening industry-education partnerships.
"Teachers are not merely transmitters of knowledge but catalysts for innovation," he noted.
Industry collaboration is equally vital, according to Prof Lee. Work placements, project-based learning, and employer feedback loops keep curricula aligned with labour market needs.
Partnerships with organisations such as Dubai Future Foundation and Abu Dhabi's Hub71 can expose educators to entrepreneurial ecosystems and enable them to bring real-world projects into classrooms, he added.
Prof Lee emphasised that professional development must also reach teachers across all subjects, not just ICT specialists. Universities can play a pivotal role, not only in preparing future teachers, but in retraining those already in service.
Pedagogy, he added, must evolve toward a learning-oriented approach built around problem-solving, digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and other essential future skills.
On the UAE's launch of the world's first AI university, MBZUAI, as part of its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
Prof Lee said universities must balance innovation with responsibility, acting not only as engines of progress but as guardians of ethical and inclusive AI use.
Beyond the classroom, AI can also reduce administrative burdens by analysing classroom data and supporting personalised learning.
EdUHK has integrated AI into teacher education programmes, developed AI-enhanced learning tools, and advanced research across disciplines to ensure innovation is matched with responsibility, he explained.
On human-centred innovation, Prof Lee warned against "over-tech-ification" of education. He said technology should amplify human connection, creativity, and equity, not overshadow them.
He said that over-tech-ification occurs when screens replace dialogue, algorithms dictate learning without context, or cultural identity is diluted in pursuit of efficiency.
A human-centred approach ensures pedagogy leads and technology follows, with teachers remaining mentors and guides.
Looking ahead, Prof Lee said UAE universities must integrate AI across all disciplines rather than isolating it within computer science.
"AI should be embedded into business, health care, education, engineering, and the arts, ensuring graduates can apply it creatively, ethically and effectively."
He highlighted EdUHK's cross-disciplinary research and partnerships with Microsoft, Huawei, and EdCity, as well as collaboration with UAE University, including the integration of AI technologies and joint research initiatives.
Reflecting on the World Governments Summit, Prof Lee described it as a powerful platform where visionary thinking meets policy innovation.
"The UAE's commitment to forward-looking education reform provides a compelling backdrop for global dialogue, positioning the country as a hub where global expertise converges to address education's most pressing challenges."
For EdUHK, he said, this aligns closely with its strategic priorities. He noted recent academic delegations to the UAE, the launch of the UAEU–EdUHK Joint Research Grant, and the hosting of UAEU students in 2025 as part of academic development programmes.
"These initiatives mirror the summit's ethos of bridging vision with implementation," he added.