A 10-year-old Emirati girl has launched an AI academy exclusively for children, aiming to transform how young students engage with technology, according to Khaleej Times.
AlDhabi AlMheiri, the young founder, developed the AI Learning Academy for children aged 7 to 13, with the goal of enhancing digital literacy among the next generation worldwide.
A recent study highlights the growing gap in AI understanding—while 44% of children globally use AI tools, only 27% actually understand how they function. Structured AI education is currently available in fewer than 10% of primary schools around the world.
AlDhabi, a four-time Guinness World Record holder, has created 20 video-based lessons that cover topics such as the basics of AI, ethics, and entrepreneurship. Each lesson comes with printable worksheets and hands-on projects to help young learners grasp complex ideas in a fun and interactive way.
“I didn’t want my lessons to sound too formal,” AlDhabi told Khaleej Times. “So I used simple language, friendly cartoon characters, and examples that children actually relate to.”
Peer-designed content
Research backs her method: Learning materials designed by peers can enhance comprehension and memory retention by as much as 40%, particularly in abstract subjects. Additionally, children are three times more likely to engage and ask questions when using resources created "by kids, for kids."
AlDhabi’s platform directly addresses the 30 per cent gender gap in AI participation among middle school students in the MENA region, offering dedicated “Girls in AI” workshops alongside modules on machine versus human intelligence and AI in daily life.
Unusually for children’s tech platforms, the academy also includes entrepreneurship content. Students are encouraged to think like builders and creators while learning core values such as privacy, fairness, and responsibility.
“I want kids to feel like creators, not just consumers,” she explained. “They can build, they can lead, and they can start young.”
The platform enforces strict child data protection, requires parental consent, and offers content in Arabic and English. It aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.
AlDhabi’s child-led model offers a grassroots solution that’s both scalable and culturally grounded. Her publishing house, Rainbow Chimney, has already reached thousands of young readers, and the new academy could do the same for AI learning.
“Technology shouldn’t belong only to adults,” she said. “Children can understand it, shape it, and lead its future — if we just let them in.”
The 10-year-old Emirati has an impressive set of relative credentials, including 163 hours of IBM-certified AI training, executive education at NYU Abu Dhabi, and a fellowship at Georgetown University’s entrepreneurship programme.
The free platform is now live at ailearning.ae, offering multilingual, child-safe access for families and schools worldwide.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
