Page 13 - Centena Group PR Report - August 2025

UAE schools roll out AI curriculum amid teacher shortage | AGBI
And while AI is taking over some tasks traditionally done by humans, educators are clear on its
limitations in the classroom.

“No machine is programmed to give our children the values and mindset to succeed and be a good
person. No line of code can replace warmth and encouragement,” said Sunny Varkey, chairman

and founder of GEMS Education, the UAE’s largest private school operator.

“And no artificial intelligence, no matter how advanced, will believe in you the way a teacher can.
This is the power of human connection.”

GEMS recently launched the Global Education AI Hub, a project designed to bring together
education and technology experts to examine how artificial intelligence can support, not replace,

classroom teaching.

“AI can elevate how students learn and how schools function, but only if it is designed with care,
ethics and deep understanding of real-world classrooms,” Varkey said.

Globally, the integration of the technology into national education strategies remains limited.
According to UNESCO, as of 2022, only 15 countries had incorporated AI learning objectives into

their curricula, and just seven had developed relevant formal programmes for teachers.

“AI tools can ease administrative burdens and enable more personalised learning,” said
independent education consultant Mansoor Ahmed. “But core teaching functions remain essential.”

Startups such as Egypt’s Zedny and UAE-based Alef Education are using AI to deliver adaptive
learning, particularly in maths and science. However, as the UAE modernises its classrooms,

finding enough teachers remains a local and global problem.

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