Weekly Update: Week of May 19, 2025

Empowering the next generation with AI. The United Arab Emirates made a landmark education policy move this week: on May 21, the UAE announced it will introduce mandatory AI education in K-12 schools starting in 2025. This means every student from kindergarten upwards will learn age-appropriate AI concepts, from basic coding in early grades to machine learning and ethics in high school. The UAE’s goal is to prepare youth for an AI-driven future, equipping them with skills to create innovative AI solutions and understand AI’s societal impact. The decision – one of the first of its kind globally – reflects a broader trend to democratize AI knowledge. (Similarly, in the U.S., President Trump floated a plan to incorporate AI literacy into early education, garnering support from 68 organizations by July.) This week underscored that AI innovation isn’t just about tech – it’s also about people. By investing in AI education, nations hope to foster a new generation of innovators who will use AI for positive ends.