ADEK rolls out AI Literacy curriculum across 170+ Abu Dhabi private schools, KG to Grade 12

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is implementing a comprehensive AI Literacy initiative across more than 170 private schools. The initiative builds students' AI capabilities progressively from KG to Grade 12, starting with screen-free critical thinking in early years and advancing to AI solution design and responsible governance by Grade 12. The framework defines learning outcomes across four strands: AI conceptual understanding, critical evaluation, solution design, and responsible governance. Schools can integrate the dedicated AI curriculum within existing subjects, through a hybrid model, or as a standalone offering. ADEK has introduced the AI Growth Test, a standardised assessment conducted twice yearly for Grades 4–12, to measure students' AI knowledge and skills. The in-school Technology and AI Policy sets clear requirements for AI adoption, with safeguards covering data protection, cognitive agency, academic integrity, human oversight, content safety and algorithmic fairness. The initiative includes a three-level professional development programme targeting 19,000 educators, with mandatory Level 1 Foundational AI Literacy training for all teachers, optional Level 2 for department heads, and advanced Level 3 for designated AI Leads in each school.