عربي
HUC logo
HUC logo
The Potential of AI to Promote Sustainability in UAE Higher Education Institutions
Dr. Ahmad Tasnim Siddiqui From Different Corners

The Potential of AI to Promote Sustainability in UAE Higher Education Institutions

Education is undergoing a profound change because of artificial intelligence (AI). As part of UAE Vision 2031, higher education institutions (HEIs) whose sustainability is a top priority are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Education is increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to transform teaching strategies and operational activities.

In the field of higher education, UAE recognizes the revolutionary potential of AI. The UAE government has launched initiatives and programs for the seamless integration of AI technology into the UAE's educational system. AI can better identify challenges and drive smart, sustainable changes by harnessing the strengths of both human and AI-powered creativity. Even though the issues range from saving the environment to delivering education to the most remote regions of the world, measuring them alone is insufficient. AI combined with human innovation will allow us to solve some of the most complex global challenges at a speed, scale, and accuracy that has never been achieved before. Technology is on the verge of revolutionizing our lives (Sustainability, 2024). UAE recognizes the potential of artificial intelligence and is investing heavily to address various issues related to it. In addition to climate-conscious computing, they have successfully reduced carbon-intensive travel by using the Metaverse, improved energy efficiency with Al Jais Climate, reduced overheating in cities, used artificial intelligence to combat malaria, and built smart homes to care for the world's aging population. The president of Khalifa University, Prof Ebrahim Al Hajri, stressed that artificial intelligence has the potential to transform education at a recent UAE forum. To address concerns about educators' reluctance to implement AI, he emphasized the importance of developing new skills and creating precise rules to maximize its benefits. In response to the changing academic environment, Khalifa University keeps pushing for AI-driven developments and supplies teachers and students with the necessary resources (Khalifa University highlights AI’s role in education at UAE forum, 2025).

 

AI and Sustainability in Higher Education

The global trend to address social and environmental issues has led HEIs to concentrate more on sustainability (Žalėnienė & Pereira, 2021). Institutions are adopting sustainable practices, such as trash reduction programs, energy-efficient structures, and sustainable transportation systems, to lessen their influence on the environment (Dehghanmongabadi & Hoşkara, 2018). AI enhances waste efficiency and energy management efforts by enabling data-driven decision-making (Cardona, Rodríguez, & Ishmael, 2023). AI has the potential to completely transform higher education's administration, teaching, learning, and research. Curriculum integration is a key element of sustainable education.

 

Because it ensures the long-term environmental, social, and financial sustainability of educational institutions while promoting student accomplishment, academic quality, and operational effectiveness, the concept of educational sustainability is essential to higher education. A comprehensive approach that takes into account a number of factors influencing the educational ecosystem is required to achieve educational sustainability (Shwedeh et al., 2024). Universities may set an example for environmental stewardship by combining artificial intelligence with sustainability. AI might enhance these businesses' sustainability plans, reduce their impact on the environment, and prepare the upcoming generation of leaders to handle global sustainability concerns (Khan et al., 2025).

 

The UAE Context

The UAE's Vision 2021 and Centennial 2071 strategic visions foresee a technologically advanced future. Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has been positioned to support this by enhancing education at all levels, including policy-backed AI literacy and ethics education. The UAE Ministry of Education has warmly embraced GAI's promise to transform education (Khan et al., 2024). The UAE's emphasis on sustainability and digital transformation makes it a perfect place to integrate AI. The UAE AI Strategy 2031 and the Ministry's push for smart learning environments provide HEIs with structural support.

 

In summary, AI has the potential to significantly improve sustainability in UAE higher education by coordinating academic practices with both national and international objectives. AI is already changing how educational institutions function, from personalized learning to smart campus infrastructure. HEIs must make investments in digital literacy, infrastructure, and ethical governance frameworks in order to fully exploit this promise.

 

References

  • Žalėnienė, I., & Pereira, P. (2021). Higher education for sustainability: A global perspective. Geography and Sustainability, 2(2), 99–106.
  • Dehghanmongabadi, A., & Hoşkara, Ş. (2018). Challenges of promoting sustainable mobility on university campuses: The case of Eastern Mediterranean University. Sustainability, 10(12), 4842. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124842
  • Cardona, M. A., Rodríguez, R. J., & Ishmael, K. (2023). Artificial intelligence and the future of teaching and learning: Insights and recommendations.
  • Shwedeh, F., et al. (2024). AI adoption and educational sustainability in higher education in the UAE. In A. Al-Marzouqi, S. A. Salloum, M. Al-Saidat, A. Aburayya, & B. Gupta (Eds.), Artificial intelligence in education: The power and dangers of ChatGPT in the classroom (Vol. 144, pp. [page numbers if available]). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52280-2_14
  • Khan, S., Mazhar, T., Shahzad, T., et al. (2025). Harnessing AI for sustainable higher education: Ethical considerations, operational efficiency, and future directions. Discover Sustainability, 6, 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00809-6
  • Khan, Z. R., Wilkinson, S., Hill, C., Oroumchian, F., Ramakrishnan, S., & Hysaj, A. (2024). Green paper on GenAI use in education in the UAE. University of Wollongong in Dubai. https://uowd.app.box.com/s/g0ffrtsdvzyoaui26nbsq20hdbck4oak