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MENA · country & exam lens

AI learning in United Arab Emirates

Distinctive for government-mandated in-school AI, sitting alongside a large expat IGCSE/IB tutoring market — and a genuine Arabic-first STEM edge.

Exam systems

  • EmSAT (EmSAT Achieve)The national standardised test; EmSAT Achieve is the Grade-12 university-entrance battery, which replaced CEPA.
  • IGCSE / IBLarge expat streams sit international qualifications in private schools rather than EmSAT.

Languages of the classroom

Public schools historically Arabic-medium (shifting to English for Maths/Science in newer schools); private schools bilingual by design. Arabic + English is the baseline.

Price points

Private tutoring ~AED 200/hour on average, up to ~AED 400/hour. Alef and Madrasa are free at the point of use (government/MBRGI-funded).

How students reach it (delivery channel)

Government-mandated in-school AI (Alef in all public schools) plus a free national Arabic library (Madrasa), over standard connections.

How it’s used

A government-backed in-school AI pattern unusual among the markets on this map.

Built for this exam

  • Alef Education AI-adaptive platform deployed in all UAE public schools (Grades 5–12), integrating curriculum, exam prep and assessment. (not yet profiled on the map)

  • Madrasa A free MBRGI public-good library of ~5,000 Arabised STEM videos, KG–Grade 12. (not yet profiled on the map)

  • Lamsa A bilingual Arabic/English early-years app (ages 2–8). (not yet profiled on the map)

The import to weigh

A well-marketed global tool a United Arab Emirates buyer will consider — run the Four Mismatches before you standardise on it.

United States

Khanmigo

Socratic AI tutor across subjects, from Khan Academy

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