The UAE Ministry of Education has prohibited the use of generative artificial intelligence tools for students under the age of 13, as part of new regulations aimed at safeguarding student safety, upholding academic integrity and ensuring compliance with national laws and cultural values.
In new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the authority said AI tools may only be used to support teaching and learning, and must remain under direct human supervision. The ministry stressed that artificial intelligence should not replace the role of the teacher or remove human oversight from the educational process.
The regulations state that any violations will be addressed in line with the Student Conduct Management Regulations and other approved ministry guidelines.
Under the new rules, students are prohibited from submitting AI-generated assignments, essays or projects as their own work without disclosure or prior teacher approval. The use of generative AI during formal assessments is also banned. Students are further barred from copying or rephrasing AI-generated content without demonstrating personal understanding or genuine intellectual input.
The ministry also warned against total reliance on artificial intelligence to complete academic tasks without active participation in the learning process. Using AI to cheat or to help others bypass academic requirements is strictly prohibited, it said, adding that the technology is intended to enhance learning, not replace it.
In terms of supervision, AI tools may not be used in unsupervised settings or during educational sessions without clear guidance from a teacher. Students are not allowed to rely exclusively on AI-generated content without teacher review and verification of its accuracy.
Teachers, too, are subject to restrictions. They may not use AI-generated content in classrooms without first ensuring that it aligns with approved educational objectives and is accurate and age-appropriate.
The ministry also outlined strict content controls. It banned the creation or sharing of material that contradicts the country’s religious, cultural or national values, or that contains inappropriate content, indecent suggestions, violent imagery or scenes that could cause psychological harm. The dissemination of hate speech, discrimination or derogatory language based on race, religion, nationality, gender or other characteristics is also prohibited.
The guidelines further prohibit the circulation of misinformation or false rumours that could harm the educational process, as well as content promoting unsafe, illegal or unethical behaviour, including self-harm, substance abuse or cyberbullying. Any content lacking a clear educational purpose or created without prior teacher consent or supervision is also barred.
The ministry said the new controls form part of a broader effort to regulate the responsible use of modern technologies in schools, ensuring they support learning while preserving academic standards, discipline and student safety.
