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UAE tightens AI rules in schools: ban under 13s, protect academic integrity / Image: file
The UAE has officially drawn a line in the digital sand. As artificial intelligence becomes as common as a calculator, the Ministry of Education has released the "Safe and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Classrooms 2026" guide.
This comprehensive framework introduces 25 specific prohibitions designed to ensure that while students learn about the future, they don’t lose their ability to think for themselves today.
UAE's new AI school policy
The most significant change is a firm age limit. Students under the age of 13, or those enrolled in any grade below Year 7 (Grade 6), are now strictly prohibited from using generative AI tools like ChatGPT.The Ministry’s reasoning is clear: early education must be built on human interaction, tactile creativity, and independent problem-solving.
By keeping AI out of primary classrooms, the government aims to prevent younger learners from developing a "digital crutch" before they have mastered the fundamentals of critical thinking and social-emotional skills.For older students who are permitted to use AI, the rules are rigorous. The Ministry has made it clear that AI is a "tutor," not a "ghostwriter."
- Using AI during formal examinations or official assessments is completely banned.
- Students cannot submit AI-generated assignments, essays, or projects as their own work. Any use of AI must be explicitly disclosed and approved by a teacher beforehand.
- Simply rephrasing what a bot says isn't enough. Students must demonstrate a genuine personal understanding of the content. If a student cannot explain the "why" behind an AI-assisted answer, it’s a violation.
UAE's strict content controls
The UAE is ensuring that AI tools reflect the country’s unique cultural fabric.
The guidelines prohibit creating or sharing any AI content that contradicts Islamic values, national identity, or cultural ethics.Beyond cultural safeguards, the rules ban AI-generated material that includes:
- Violent or psychologically disturbing imagery.
- Hate speech, discrimination, or misinformation.
- Promotions of unsafe or illegal behavior, such as cyberbullying or substance abuse.
- "Deepfakes" or any content intended to impersonate others or spread false rumors.
Data privacy in UAE schools
In an era of data harvesting, the Ministry has turned schools into a "data fortress." There is a total ban on uploading personal information, including names, photos, audio recordings, or ID details, of students, teachers, or parents into any AI platform.Furthermore, schools are prohibited from using unapproved AI services. This means no bypassing school firewalls with VPNs and no creating student accounts on external platforms that require personal data without official Ministry clearance. Even recording or transcribing a classroom discussion using AI now requires the explicit consent of everyone in the room.The ministry’s manual reinforces that AI should function as a support tool, not a shortcut.
Students must critically review and verify AI-generated content before using it in their work, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Teachers are expected to guide students on ethical AI practices and help them understand both the capabilities and limitations of generative tools.
The future
While these rules seem strict, they aren't about fearing technology, they’re about mastering it. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the UAE is making AI a mandatory subject from Kindergarten to Grade 12.Taught by over 1,000 specially trained educators, this curriculum focuses on the ethics and mechanics of AI. The goal is to graduate a generation that doesn't just know how to prompt a bot, but understands the algorithms, data privacy, and ethical responsibilities that power the modern world. In the UAE, the message is loud and clear: technology will support the teacher, but it will never replace the human mind.
