On June 19, Norway's prime minister announced a near ban on generative AI use by elementary students, while Poland unveiled plans to equip 12,000 schools with AI labs and the UAE began mandating AI lessons from kindergarten. The three nations' divergent paths show how governments are grappling with the role of artificial intelligence in classrooms - and the risks they're willing to accept.
The approaches span from outright restriction to early immersion, reflecting a growing international conversation around AI for Education. Norway's stance is the most restrictive, while Poland and the UAE see schools as ground zero for teaching students to control the technology.
Norway's ban for young students and return to textbooks
Students in grades 1 through 7 (ages 6-13) will be prohibited from using generative AI at school under the new guidelines, set to take effect in August. Students in lower secondary (ages 14-16) may use the tools only with teacher supervision, and upper secondary students (17-19) will learn to apply AI appropriately as they prepare for the workforce.
"The most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write and do mathematics," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said at a press conference, adding that "uncritical use of AI causes students to skip important learning steps."
A recent study by the Brookings Institution's Center for Universal Education concluded that the risks of generative AI use by children outweigh the benefits, pointing to stunted cognitive growth when children turn to AI instead of developing their own thinking skills. The government also announced increased funding for physical textbooks, reversing years of emphasis on digital learning tools.
Poland's AI labs and push for student control
Just last week, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to install AI labs in 12,000 primary and secondary schools by the start of the next school year. Each lab will include laptops, a central unit for AI services, network devices, an interactive display, a camera with microphone, and specialized software.
"The most important task for the young generation will be not to underestimate the threats posed by artificial intelligence and to have a sense of sovereignty over the tools they use," Tusk said. He told students they should learn to control AI "rather than it controlling you."
UAE mandates AI lessons from kindergarten
In the UAE, the Ministry of Education mandated AI lessons starting in kindergarten in 2025. Education Minister Sarah Al Amiri told Semafor that roughly 20 AI lessons would be planned for each grade through 12th, reaching all public schools and some private ones.
Addressing concerns about early screen exposure, Al Amiri said: "Social media is a fact. The [use of] AI is a fact." She added, "I want it to be fun for them," aiming to reengage students who have lost interest in traditional instruction.
A wider clampdown on tech in schools
Norway's restrictions echo a global push to limit children's access to digital devices. In 2024, the country banned smartphones from classrooms, a move linked to better grades and improved mental health, particularly among young girls. Norway has also announced plans to bar social media for children under 16, following Australia's recent ban.
The UAE's embrace of AI stands in contrast, though age-verification efforts worldwide remain imperfect - children have been known to bypass filters with drawn-on mustaches and other disguises.
Why this matters for educators
For teachers and school leaders, the split global approach means there is no single playbook. Norway's ban will require teachers to redesign lessons without AI tools, while Polish and Emirati educators must rapidly integrate them. Understanding both the risks and potential of AI is becoming a core literacy. Many educators are turning to structured training to navigate these changes - an AI Learning Path for Teachers can help build practical skills regardless of local policy.
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