Saudi Arabia Introduces AI Curriculum for Over Six Million Students

Saudi Arabia has unveiled a groundbreaking artificial intelligence curriculum that will reach over six million students across all educational levels beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. This initiative, announced on August 24, 2025, represents one of the most comprehensive national AI education programs ever implemented globally.

"We are equipping our youth with the technological skills needed to lead Saudi Arabia into a data-driven future and achieve our Vision 2030 goals."

— Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA)

The program is the result of unprecedented collaboration between four major government entities: the National Centre for Curriculum Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). This multi-agency approach ensures comprehensive implementation and alignment with national strategic objectives.

Vision 2030 Educational Transformation

The AI curriculum initiative directly supports Saudi Vision 2030's Human Capital Development Program, which aims to build a knowledge-based economy and position the Kingdom as a global technology leader. The program addresses the critical need for AI literacy in an increasingly digital world.

The new curriculum is designed with age-appropriate modules that progress from elementary through secondary education levels. Students will engage with both theoretical concepts and practical applications, ensuring they understand AI's role in solving real-world challenges.

The curriculum emphasizes creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, preparing students to develop AI-based solutions for everyday challenges. This approach ensures graduates are not just consumers of AI technology but active contributors to its development and application.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has emerged as the central driving force behind the Kingdom's AI education transformation. Established in 2019 by Royal Decree, SDAIA has rapidly positioned itself as a global leader in AI development and education.

International Partnerships

SDAIA has established strategic partnerships with global technology leaders including NVIDIA's Generative AI Academy and leading international universities. These collaborations bring world-class expertise to Saudi students and ensure the curriculum meets international standards.

"Through partnerships with global AI experts and comprehensive national programs, we are building the foundations for Saudi Arabia's leadership in the global AI economy."

— Abdullah Alghamdi, SDAIA President

The rollout strategy encompasses all educational levels from elementary to secondary across both public and private institutions. The Ministry of Education has invested heavily in infrastructure, with over SR2 billion ($533 million) allocated for facility upgrades and technology integration.

Progressive Skill Development

The curriculum features structured, progressive modules that build upon each other across grade levels. Elementary students begin with basic AI concepts and digital literacy, while secondary students engage in advanced programming, data analysis, and AI application development.

Saudi Arabia's AI education initiative sets a new global benchmark for national AI literacy programs. The Kingdom's comprehensive approach combines massive scale with deep curriculum integration, positioning it as a model for other nations pursuing AI education transformation.

Supporting the $100 Billion AI Investment

The education program complements Saudi Arabia's $100 billion commitment to artificial intelligence, creating a synergistic approach that combines technological infrastructure development with human capital preparation. This dual strategy ensures sustainable AI leadership.

The AI curriculum represents more than education reform — it's a strategic investment in Saudi Arabia's technological sovereignty and economic future. By preparing six million students with AI literacy, the Kingdom is building the human capital foundation for sustained innovation leadership.

Long-term Strategic Goals

The program positions Saudi graduates as global leaders in AI innovation, supporting the Kingdom's goal of becoming a data-driven economy by 2030. This comprehensive educational transformation ensures Saudi Arabia will compete effectively in the global AI marketplace while developing homegrown technological capabilities.