The Emirate College for Advanced Education (ECAE), based in Abu Dhabi, has spearheaded a major initiative named the “Horizons” program. This strategic effort is designed to equip educators employed by the Ministry of Education with essential competencies related to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Unveiled during the college’s participation in GITEX Global 2025, the launch of Horizons signifies a critical advancement in cultivating a sophisticated educational environment within the nation, directly supporting the UAE’s overarching strategic goal of developing a robust knowledge economy.
The core mandate of the Horizons program centers on the ethical and sustainable integration of AI into classroom instruction. This ambitious project, which is the first of its kind in the UAE, aims to train a substantial cohort of 5,000 teachers nationwide during its initial phase. The comprehensive curriculum is delivered through five distinct four-hour seminars, totaling 20 hours of instruction. The methodology is carefully balanced, pairing hands-on practical sessions focused on AI application with crucial group exercises dedicated to navigating the complex ethical dimensions of the technology.
The program’s foundation is built upon established international and national benchmarks. It draws heavily on frameworks such as the Holt and Harris Pedagogical Model for AI in Learning, the UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Teachers, and the National Educators Competency Framework (NECF), ensuring a globally informed and locally relevant approach to training.
This timely intervention by the ECAE is grounded in compelling data that highlights the UAE’s exceptional readiness for technological adoption. The decision to launch Horizons comes in the wake of the TALIS 2024 report findings. According to the report, a remarkable 75% of teachers in the UAE are already utilizing AI tools in their professional duties. This figure drastically overshadows the global average of just 36%, demonstrating that the country possesses a solid base for implementing advanced technologies. In fact, the UAE, alongside Singapore, stands at the forefront globally in terms of AI adoption within the educational sphere.
Within the framework of Horizons, significant attention is dedicated to fostering inclusive learning environments, leveraging AI-driven feedback mechanisms for student assessment, and developing school policies that are both equitable and ethically sound. The ECAE is committed to cultivating a new generation of educators capable of translating national ambitions into reality through innovative educational practices befitting the age of artificial intelligence. This initiative resonates deeply with the broader national strategy of the UAE, which is actively pursuing the integration of AI across all economic sectors. By embedding AI competencies now, the UAE aims to achieve the ambitious objectives set out in the “Centennial 2071” plan, thereby solidifying its position as a world leader in the critical domain of AI governance.