Parent App hosts Dubai panel on AI’s role in Early Years education
In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is fast becoming part of everyday life, even for the tiniest learners, one event in Dubai has taken a bold step into the future of early childhood education.
Parent App, a leading nursery communications platform, hosted a panel discussion to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping Early Years education in light of the UAE’s new national AI curriculum initiative—and what it means for nurseries, teachers, and, most importantly, children.
Held at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel in Business Bay, the event brought together an inspiring mix of nursery owners, educators, child development experts, and government voices.
Their goal? To delve into the UAE’s new national AI curriculum initiative and examine how this fast-moving technology fits into playrooms and story circles.
While many agreed AI offers exciting possibilities—like spotting developmental delays or helping with daily routines—experts were quick to point out that technology should never replace the human touch.
As Patricia Mezu, leadership coach and founder of Professional Minds MEA, noted, the key lies in using AI as a tool, not a teacher.
“Safeguarding, data privacy, and bias are very real concerns,” she added, urging nurseries to embed ethical thinking into their tech use.
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Samina Khanyari from Jumeirah International Nurseries highlighted how AI can streamline admin tasks like tagging photos or managing sleep schedules, giving educators more time to connect with children.
However, she stressed, this must be paired with solid training and leadership.
Emma Jayne Morgan of Quest/EYES echoed this, calling for investment in professional development “on par with budgets for rent, water, or electricity.”
Alongside AI, the panel also discussed the UAE’s Arabic Language Mandate, which requires 33 per cent of nursery instruction to be in Arabic.
Reem Madkour, author and co-founder of Dardasha and The Arab Child Summit, encouraged parents and educators to embed Arabic in real life through food, music, play, and tradition, not just through classroom lessons.
As AI makes its way into nurseries, one thing is clear: it’s a powerful ally, but not a replacement.
As Parent App’s CEO, Firas El Bizri, concluded, the goal isn’t to remove the human element—it’s to free up educators so they can focus more on what matters most: nurturing young minds.
For further information, visit Parent App
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