Khalifa University Explores AI's Transformative Role in Revolutionizing Education

Khalifa University wrapped up its two-day AI Future Summit focused on transforming higher education. The event brought together policymakers, university leaders, and international experts to discuss how artificial intelligence can reshape teaching methods and position the UAE as a leader in building future-ready educational institutions.

Professor Ibrahim Al-Hajri, president of Khalifa University, emphasized that academics and researchers in higher education are the main drivers of AI innovation. The UAE has already taken concrete steps to back this vision, including Abu Dhabi's Digital Government Strategy 2025-2027, which aims to make the emirate a global leader in AI-powered governance.

The country has also made AI a mandatory subject across all levels of government education. This puts the UAE among the few nations setting new global standards for AI education. It's a bold move that shows how serious the government is about preparing its workforce for an AI-driven future.

The summit's sessions covered practical topics like building AI-powered learning systems, managing research in the AI era, and preparing university infrastructure for maximum AI benefits. Participants also discussed how higher education can use AI to strengthen scientific research, develop talent pipelines, and build ethical governance frameworks that help people trust emerging technologies.

For investors and education technology companies, this signals significant opportunities in the Middle East market. The UAE's commitment to mandatory AI education across all school levels creates demand for educational tools, training programs, and infrastructure development. Universities worldwide are watching these developments closely, as the UAE's approach could become a model for other countries looking to integrate AI into their education systems.

The focus on ethical governance and building public trust also addresses one of AI's biggest challenges. As educational institutions globally grapple with questions about AI's role in learning and research, the UAE's systematic approach offers insights into balancing innovation with responsibility.