Empowering younger generations with artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge has become an urgent and strategic necessity for any nation seeking sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

Reflecting this reality, there is a growing global trend toward incorporating AI into school curricula across various educational levels.

Several countries have already taken proactive steps in this direction, including the UAE, which will introduce AI as an academic subject in all public schools, from kindergarten to Grade 12, starting with the 2025–2026 academic year.

China stands out as one of the pioneering nations with an ambitious AI education strategy. In 2018, the country began implementing AI curricula in 40 model schools, developed 14 ministry-approved textbooks, and trained 5,000 specialised teachers.

In March this year, educational authorities in Beijing announced that AI lessons will be added to the curricula of both primary and secondary schools starting next academic year. Schools will dedicate at least eight hours of AI classes every academic year, either as standalone courses or integrated into existing subjects like information technology or science.

South Korea also made strides in this field, introducing AI as a subject in local high school curricula starting in 2022. The programme is now expanding to include kindergartens and elementary and middle schools as of this year, as part of the country’s broader efforts to prepare students for a digital future.

In the same context, Finland’s experience in incorporating artificial intelligence into educational curricula is widely regarded as a global model. The country’s approach is distinguished by its inclusivity across all age groups and its balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Finland’s journey began with an initiative from the University of Helsinki, which in 2018 launched a free online AI course. The course quickly gained national traction, with over 1% of the Finnish population enrolling. It has since been translated into 22 languages, making it accessible to learners worldwide and positioning Finland as a leader in democratising AI education.

Singapore has successfully transformed itself into a global hub for AI education, offering high-level programmes that integrate cutting-edge theory with hands-on application. The country’s academic and training institutions place a strong emphasis on core areas such as machine learning, robotics, and big data analytics.