100 Excellence in Schools
C hildren today are growing up in an environment vastly different from the one we knew. Technology is ever- present, and while this opens incredible doors for creativity, connection and learning, it also presents risks. Information overload, digital fatigue, algorithmic echo chambers, and even unfiltered exposure to harmful content can all affect a child’s sense of identity, self-worth and belonging. A child who feels digitally overwhelmed may struggle to focus, form healthy relationships, or feel confident in their own identity. Why AI Changes Everything Artificial Intelligence intensifies this landscape. From facial recognition to predictive analytics, AI is integrated into everything from entertainment algorithms to hiring processes. Without the tools to understand how these systems work — and perhaps more importantly, how they can misfire — our children are at risk of being rendered as passive consumers in a system they do not control. As such, digital wellbeing is not separate from broader wellbeing — the two are ever more interconnected.
That’s why at Bloom World Academy (BWA), digital literacy includes education around screen time management, online behaviour, and the psychological impacts of social media and AI-driven platforms. We safeguard students by equipping them to take an active and informed role in the digital world, while facilitating their ability to not only succeed, but to lead as changemakers and pioneers in their fields. The First Accredited AI Curriculum of Its Kind In August 2024, BWA became the first school in the UAE to make AI a compulsory, accredited subject for students aged 14 and above. Our Grade 10 students will complete the second year of the course in AY ’25-’26, after which they will hold an official qualification in Artificial Intelligence. Crucially, they will also graduate with a clear understanding of what ethical, human- centred AI looks like. Our AI curriculum is built on two pillars: ethical understanding and technical proficiency. This isn’t just a course where students learn to code or create algorithms.
“Digital wellbein not separate fro wellbeing. They now one and th same.”
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