Cairo: Egypt will introduce artificial intelligence as a formal subject in high schools starting next academic year, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly announced. This development follows a partnership with a prominent Japanese education technology platform, marking a significant step towards modernizing the country's educational framework.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the AI course will be available to first-year secondary students as a pass/fail subject and will not impact their final grade point averages. However, students who pass the course will receive a certificate acknowledged by the Japanese partner institution. This certification could potentially enable students to qualify for work in AI-related fields before completing their university education.

Prime Minister Madbouly emphasized the importance of this initiative during a weekly press conference, stating, "Artificial intelligence is no longer optional; it is the future." The introduction of this curriculum is part of a broader effort by the Egyptian government to update the national curriculum and synchronize the education system with global technological advancements.

Officials have indicated that the new curriculum will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of AI, aiming to bridge the gap between educational outcomes and workforce demands. This initiative is a result of a recent official visit to Japan, which sought to enhance cooperation in education and innovation.