The AI Revolution In UAE Classrooms

The arrival of advanced AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot is no longer a future-facing concept but a present-day reality in the classrooms of the UAE. What was once a source of curiosity and concern is now being recognized by the nation's leading educational groups as a natural step in technological evolution. Educators are actively learning to navigate this new landscape, focusing on a balanced approach that champions innovation while upholding ethics and fostering genuine student development.

A Natural Evolution in the Classroom

Students are leading the charge as early adopters. "Yes, students are indeed experimenting with tools like ChatGPT and Copilot," confirms Baz Nijjar, Vice President – Education Technology and Digital Innovation at GEMS Education. "This is natural, as they are always curious about new and emerging technology." GEMS is tackling this head-on by establishing working groups to create clear policies, integrate AI into the curriculum, and equip teachers with the skills to identify AI-generated work, steering students toward responsible use.

At Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej (DSK), a Taaleem school, Elementary Principal James Efford observes a similar trend, particularly with older students using AI for research. He highlights an innovative application: multilingual learners using AI as a "language bridge" to articulate complex ideas in English or Arabic. "This has empowered more students to engage in rich classroom discussions and deepen their learning," Efford notes.

From Misuse to Teachable Moments

Rather than banning the technology, schools are focusing on guidance. John Bell, founding principal at Bloom World Academy, states, "AI is here to stay, and our role isn’t to ban it but to guide its use responsibly." This philosophy is shared across institutions. When students at DSK become over-reliant on AI, the incidents are treated as "learning moments." Efford explains, "Teachers now incorporate checkpoints and draft reviews that focus on original thinking and voice."

GEMS Education follows an "educational and restorative" approach. Nijjar emphasizes a shift in assignments to require critical thinking that AI cannot replicate. "It’s a matter of reskilling and understanding that prompt engineering is a new technique students need to master," he says, adding that increased parental engagement is planned to support responsible AI use at home.

Balancing Digital Tools with Traditional Skills

To combat the subtleties of AI-generated plagiarism, schools are ensuring that traditional assessment methods remain a core part of learning. Bloom World Academy blends digital tools with classic pen-and-paper assignments. "AI-generated plagiarism is subtle and evolving, which is why we maintain strong analogue components – verbal presentations and written assignments – so students can’t outsource comprehension," Bell points out.

Teachers as AI Adopters

It's not just students who are using these tools. Educators are leveraging AI to enhance their own work, from personalizing lesson plans to creating dynamic assessments. GEMS teachers use custom AI agents for differentiated activities, while DSK educators simulate student misconceptions to better prepare their lessons. At Bloom, AI assists with everything from administration to content creation. "This use of AI doesn’t replace teachers but rather frees them to focus more deeply on pedagogy, creativity, and meaningful interactions with students," Efford clarifies.

Embedding AI Literacy into the Core Curriculum

The integration of AI is happening at a systemic level. GEMS is embedding AI literacy across all subjects and is set to open its School of Research and Innovation featuring AI labs. Bloom World Academy offers an accredited AI course for students aged 14 and above and is even introducing AI literacy concepts to its youngest KG2 learners. Similarly, Taaleem schools are weaving AI into diverse subjects, from critiquing AI content in English to debating its ethical dimensions in moral education.

Upholding Ethics in the Age of AI

Across the board, school leaders stress the importance of a strong ethical framework. GEMS's strategy prioritizes data governance and asks not just 'Can we?' but 'Should we?' and 'How do we do it safely?'. Bloom's curriculum includes mock trials and critical thinking exercises to teach students about fairness and bias in AI. The goal, as Efford puts it, is to build a generation that "knows how to question, verify, and use technology responsibly."

While the opportunities for personalized learning and deeper engagement are immense, educators remain mindful of the challenges, including the rapid pace of development and the potential for misuse. The path forward involves embracing AI as a foundational part of education, with a collective commitment to ensuring it reshapes learning for the better.