Programme reached 710 schools in seven weeks, supporting the UAE’s nationwide AI education strategy
The UAE has completed one of its largest AI literacy programmes for educators. Alef Education, in partnership with Microsoft, trained around 25,000 teachers and school staff across 710 schools in just seven weeks.
The programme ran from May 11 to June 30, 2026 through the Alef Academy platform. It gave educators practical AI skills for classroom teaching and school administration. The initiative also involved the UAE Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the Sharjah Private Education Authority, and private schools.
Programme supports UAE’s AI education goals
The initiative supports the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. It also aligns with the government’s push to bring AI into classrooms across the country.
Unlike many AI training programmes, this initiative reached educators nationwide in less than two months. As a result, thousands of teachers gained practical AI skills within a short period. Alef Academy handled the digital delivery, while Microsoft provided the learning framework through its Elevate programme.
Alef Academy enables large-scale AI learning
Alef Education used its Alef Academy platform to deliver the training. The programme focused on practical AI tools that teachers can use every day. These tools help with lesson planning, classroom activities, and routine school tasks.
In addition, the company’s flagship Alef Platform offers personalised learning for K-12 students. It also includes tools for Arabic literacy and other core subjects.
Today, Alef Education supports around two million students and 84,000 educators across nearly 19,000 schools in the UAE, Indonesia, and Morocco.
Meanwhile, Microsoft contributed its Elevate programme. The programme provides structured AI skills training for organisations and education systems.
UAE expands AI skills across schools
The latest initiative highlights the UAE’s growing investment in AI education. Moreover, it shows how technology companies and education authorities can work together to prepare teachers for digital classrooms.
Going forward, educators who completed the programme are expected to apply AI tools in daily teaching. This will help schools improve learning experiences while supporting the country’s long-term digital transformation goals.
