AI is now part of everyday life for many children. They use it for homework, for fun and sometimes just out of curiosity. For parents, that raises real questions. What are they doing with it? Is it safe? And how can I help?
Dubai has now launched a platform built to answer those questions. It’s called GenDubAI, and it’s meant to help families learn about AI together.
What Is GenDubAI?
GenDubAI is a digital platform developed by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI). It was built together with the Community Development Authority (CDA) and the Dubai Future Foundation.
The goal is simple. It helps parents understand how their children use AI and guides them toward using it in a safe, responsible, and creative way.
The platform is aimed at families with children aged eight to 15. It comes in both Arabic and English, and it works well on mobile, so parents can open it whenever they have a few minutes.
How Can Parents Use It?
The idea is that parents and children learn side by side, instead of children exploring AI tools alone.
The platform offers easy, practical content that answers common questions about AI and shows how children can use these tools well. It also explains the basics, the main principles and the tools themselves, so parents can understand both the benefits and the risks.
That’s helpful if you’re still new to AI yourself. You can build your own knowledge while supporting your child’s learning. The platform also encourages critical thinking and creativity, so children learn to use AI in a helpful way, not just to get quick answers.
Saeed Al Falasi, executive director of the DCAI, called it a first of its kind platform built around “family moments.” The content is meant to fit into daily life and start real conversations about AI at home. He also said it lets children benefit from AI under their parents’ direct guidance, while making it easier for families to follow their progress.
Why Safe AI Use Matters
Knowing how to use AI responsibly is becoming part of preparing children for the future. GenDubAI aims to help families with this by raising awareness, protecting privacy and encouraging responsible use.
The content also reflects UAE values and cultural identity, so it feels relevant to local families.
What Officials Said
Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, director general of the CDA, said AI has become a big part of younger generations’ lives. That puts a responsibility on families and society to raise awareness and help children use it with confidence. She said the platform puts families at the centre of the learning journey and turns technology into a shared chance for learning, conversation and creativity at home.
She also linked the project to the Dubai Social Agenda 33, saying it aims to help young people embrace technology while keeping their values and identity.
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, pointed out that the UAE is among the world’s leading countries in AI adoption, and that children are using more smart devices, both inside and outside school. He said the aim is to help parents guide their children toward the opportunities of AI while also understanding its challenges. In his view, knowing how to use AI safely is one of the best gifts a parent can give.
Part of a Bigger Plan
GenDubAI supports the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the UAE’s Year of the Family. It links AI learning with wider efforts to strengthen family bonds and support children’s growth.
The platform isn’t meant to stay still either. New content, tools and learning paths are planned over time, so it can keep up with fast changes in AI and the changing needs of families.
What Parents Can Do Right Now
You don’t need to wait for a platform to start the conversation. Ask your child which AI tools they use and what for. Try them together. Talk about what’s helpful and what to be careful about, like sharing personal details. Small chats at home often teach more than strict rules.
And not every family moment has to be about screens. If you’re planning an evening out with the kids this week, our list of where to dance this Navratri in Dubai includes a few family friendly Garba and Dandiya nights that could make a nice break from the digital world.
The Bottom Line
AI isn’t going away, and children will keep using it. GenDubAI gives parents in Dubai a simple place to learn, ask questions and guide their kids with more confidence. Whether you’re comfortable with AI or just getting started, it looks like a useful first step toward a safer and smarter family approach to technology.