38 Excellence in Schools
A Vision 2030 Milestone Curriculum Center, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). It is firmly anchored in the Human Capability Development Program, a cornerstone of Vision 2030. By embedding AI into core learning from grade one through to high school, Saudi Arabia is sending a clear message: tomorrow’s innovators must be nurtured today. From Classroom to Career Students will encounter AI concepts in age- appropriate, interactive modules. Young learners will be introduced to the basics of coding and digital ethics, while older The roll-out of the AI curriculum is spearheaded by the National Highlights of the Curriculum Update Artificial Intelligence: Developed with the Ministry of Communications and SDAIA, focusing on self-learning and digital-era skills. Cybersecurity: Created with the National Cybersecurity Authority to train students in digital protection. Tourism and Hospitality: Developed with the Ministry of Tourism, emphasising sustainable tourism and event management. Fashion, Art and Design: Tailored for female students, covering global design principles and practical marketing. First Aid: In partnership with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, teaching emergency response including burns and cardiac events. Languages: Chinese expanded to more schools, and new interactive English modules added for grades five and six. Early Education: New nursery-stage guides and Qur’anic studies manuals, promoting play-based learning and family engagement.
students will progress to machine learning, data analysis, and real-world projects. “The aim is not only to teach students how AI works, but to empower them to build solutions that address real challenges facing our communities,” noted an official at SDAIA. This forward-thinking approach ensures continuity from primary through higher education, vocational training, and even lifelong learning opportunities. AI is no longer a specialised topic for a select few, but a universal competency shaping the Kingdom’s future workforce. AI and Beyond The new AI curriculum is part of a wider strategic modernisation effort that prioritise critical thinking and technical competencies while integrating innovative teaching methods.
Six million students across the Kingdom will learn AI this year.
Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaili, CEO of the NCC, told the SPA that these changes represent a fundamental shift. He said: “The curriculum is no longer confined to textbooks, but encompasses all student experiences, positioning books as just one tool within a broader educational environment.” Students will engage with interactive and age-appropriate modules, moving from simple coding concepts in primary school to advanced data analysis and ethical discussions in secondary and vocational tracks. AI learning outcomes will also be included in the national student performance assessment system, placing digital literacy on par with traditional subjects.
Modules range from digital ethics in primary school to advanced AI applications in secondary.
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