More than six million Saudi Arabian school students will study a newly approved artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, marking the Kingdom’s first large-scale integration of AI into general education.

The program is being developed jointly by the National Centre for Curriculum, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).

The curriculum will introduce students to the principles and applications of AI, aiming to foster innovation and problem-solving skills.

Officials say the move is intended to strengthen students’ understanding of AI’s role in digital transformation and equip them with skills for future studies and careers in the field. It also reflects the priorities of Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes human capital development and the transition to a knowledge-based economy.

SDAIA has supported the rollout through training programs and collaborations with international AI experts, as well as by publishing a guide on the ethical use of generative AI in schools. A framework has also been introduced to ensure Saudi academic qualifications in AI meet global standards and are recognized by employers.

In parallel, several national initiatives are underway to expand AI literacy. The SAMAI program, launched with the Ministries of Education, Human Resources, and Social Development, seeks to provide AI skills to one million Saudis; more than half a million have already enrolled.

Other initiatives include an AI scholarship program for students to study at leading global universities, and the Generative AI Academy, established with NVIDIA, to train professionals in advanced AI applications.

These initiatives position AI education as a central element of Saudi Arabia’s long-term strategy to prepare its workforce for an increasingly technology-driven global economy.