10-Year-Old Emirati Girl Launches Free AI Academy to Empower Kids
A 10-year-old Emirati girl, AlDhabi AlMheiri, has launched an AI Learning Academy aimed at children aged 7 to 13. The platform, which is free to use, offers structured lessons on artificial intelligence, ethics, and entrepreneurship. Designed with young learners in mind, it provides content that simplifies complex concepts while promoting curiosity and creativity.
Although 44% of children worldwide reportedly use AI tools, just 27% understand how these technologies function. Meanwhile, less than 10% of primary schools globally offer formal AI education. AlDhabi’s initiative seeks to fill that gap, offering children early access to digital literacy.
The curriculum includes 20 video-based lessons, each paired with printable worksheets and hands-on projects. These resources aim to make AI both understandable and enjoyable. Since the lessons are peer-designed, children are more likely to engage and retain what they learn. In fact, studies show that kids grasp abstract subjects better when taught by peers.
“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.”
Bridging Gaps and Inspiring Creators
AlDhabi’s academy tackles multiple challenges at once. Most notably, it addresses the 30% gender gap in AI participation among middle school students in the MENA region. To help close this divide, she offers special ‘Girls in AI’ workshops. These sessions aim to build confidence and spark interest among young girls who may otherwise feel excluded from tech spaces.
Moreover, the platform goes beyond just technical skills. Students are introduced to core values like fairness, privacy, and social responsibility. In doing so, the program encourages them to think not only as learners but also as builders and future leaders.
“I want kids to feel like creators, not just consumers,” she explained. “They can build, they can lead, and they can start young.”
To ensure safety, the platform enforces strict data protection measures and requires parental consent. Content is offered in both Arabic and English, making it accessible to a broader audience. Additionally, the academy supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.
A Scalable Model for Global Impact
What makes this initiative especially unique is its grassroots, child-led model. Rather than waiting for institutional changes, AlDhabi has taken direct action. Her publishing venture, Rainbow Chimney, has already reached thousands of young readers. Now, her AI academy could have a similar impact on how children engage with technology.
“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.”
AlDhabi is no stranger to innovation. She holds four Guinness World Records and has completed 163 hours of IBM-certified AI training. Furthermore, she has undertaken executive education at NYU Abu Dhabi and is a fellow at Georgetown University’s entrepreneurship programme.
Now live at ailearning.ae, the free platform offers multilingual, child-safe access for families and schools around the world. Through this initiative, AlDhabi is not just teaching kids about AI she’s helping them shape the future.
