Saudi schools go smart: Over 6 million students to learn AI from 2025

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In a bold step toward shaping a tech-driven future, more than six million students across Saudi Arabia’s general education system are set to embark on a transformative journey. For the 2025–2026 academic year, students will be introduced to a newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum, marking the country’s first nationwide integration of AI in general education.

The initiative, hailed as a pioneering milestone, is the result of collaboration between the National Centre for Curriculum Development, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), a Saudi Press Agency report conveyed.

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Empowering a generation for the AI era

By introducing AI at the school level, the kingdom aims to cultivate a generation of innovators and technology leaders. The curriculum is designed to help students understand AI’s role in solving real-world digital challenges, encourage creative thinking, and prepare them for advanced studies and future careers in AI, a field expected to define the global job market in the years ahead.

The content will emphasise both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, allowing students to explore how AI can be used to address everyday problems and create impactful solutions.

Vision 2030: A knowledge-based society

The AI curriculum is a strategic move aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom’s roadmap for diversifying the economy and developing a knowledge-based society. A key pillar of this vision is building human capital equipped with advanced technological skills.

By preparing students early for AI-related fields, Saudi Arabia is not only nurturing its future workforce but also positioning itself as a global leader in data and AI innovation.

SDAIA leads capacity building across education

SDAIA has played a central role in this educational transformation.

Working closely with the Ministry of Education, SDAIA has launched nationwide programs aimed at building AI capabilities across all educational levels. These include both local and international training initiatives, many of which are led by leading global AI experts.

One of the key developments has been the release of a Generative AI Usage Guide for schools. Jointly issued by the Ministry of Education and SDAIA, the guide promotes the ethical and effective use of AI in classrooms, while reinforcing the essential role of teachers in the learning process.

In another significant step, SDAIA and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission unveiled the Saudi Academic Framework for AI Qualifications, also known as Education Intelligence. This framework ensures that AI-related academic programs meet international standards—boosting the employability and global competitiveness of Saudi graduates.

Expanding access through SAMAI and scholarships

To extend AI literacy beyond schools, SDAIA, in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Ministry of Education, launched the SAMAI initiative, which aims to equip one million Saudis with AI knowledge and skills. So far, over 500,000 participants have registered, ranging from students to professionals.

Further supporting talent development, the AI Scholarship Program, a collaboration between SDAIA, the Ministry of Education, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, offers exceptional Saudi students the chance to study AI and data science at top global universities.

To round out its multi-pronged strategy, SDAIA, in partnership with tech giant NVIDIA, launched the Generative AI Academy. As a key component of the larger SDAIA Academy, this program aims to cultivate a new generation of highly skilled AI professionals capable of competing—and innovating, on the global stage.

Through this comprehensive, multi-agency effort, Saudi Arabia is not only reimagining its education system but also laying the groundwork for a future powered by AI, and led by its own youth.