At a time when the world is witnessing a massive technological revolution, Queen Elizabeth School is preparing to open its new branch in Dubai, carrying a heritage spanning more than 450 years and a forward-looking vision built on artificial intelligence and robotics, inspired by the success of its alumni who founded DeepMind.
Article contents:
- Introduction: A rich heritage in the heart of Dubai
- The strong connection to artificial intelligence giants
- A cautious and positive approach toward technology
- Practical use cases: Inclusivity and assessment
- Potential risks: Over-reliance and cognitive skills
- Future facilities: Robotics and esports
- Harmony with Dubai’s vision for the future
- Frequently asked questions
Introduction: A rich heritage in the heart of Dubai
Dan Clark, founding headmaster of Queen Elizabeth School in Dubai Sports City, has announced details of the massive educational project scheduled to open in August 2026. This school is the first overseas branch of the parent institution, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet in London, which is considered the most successful academic school in the United Kingdom, consistently topping league tables for GCSE and A-Level results.
Founded under a charter from Queen Elizabeth I more than 450 years ago, the parent school has maintained an ongoing story of academic success ever since. Today, the school aims to transfer this rich heritage and rigorous academic traditions to Dubai while integrating cutting-edge technologies to ensure students are ready for the future.
The strong connection to artificial intelligence giants
Clark proudly noted that the school’s academic heritage is not merely ancient history, but rather living and influential in today’s digital world. A prominent testament to this is that two of the school’s alumni, Demis Hassabis and Mustafa Suleyman, rank among the most significant figures in global artificial intelligence as the co-founders of the renowned company DeepMind.
These alumni are now making a massive impact at major companies such as Google and Microsoft. The Dubai school aspires to graduate a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who can replicate this success and contribute to the development of the technology sector in Dubai and globally.
A cautious and positive approach toward technology
Despite great enthusiasm for technology, Dan Clark adopts a balanced and cautious approach. He believes that artificial intelligence remains largely in an experimental or “beta” stage. He emphasizes that any use of these technologies in the educational sector must be managed with extreme care.
The primary goal must be to prove that the use of artificial intelligence will genuinely improve students’ learning experiences and outcomes based on clear evidence. Clark stresses that when evaluating any new AI-powered educational product, the first question is not about the technology itself, but rather: “How will this product make our students better and better prepared for the future?”
Practical use cases: Inclusivity and assessment
Clark sees tremendous opportunities for using artificial intelligence to support inclusivity within schools. Students have highly diverse learning needs, and it can be difficult and time-consuming for teachers to prepare customized educational materials for each individual student. This is where artificial intelligence comes in, as it can adapt and tailor educational resources to fit each student’s specific learning profile faster and more efficiently than human capabilities allow.
Furthermore, large language models can provide immediate and accurate feedback to students, enhancing their self-efficacy. This is particularly crucial in contexts that may lack highly qualified teachers or sufficient resources, where smartphones and the internet can provide high-quality, AI-supported education.
Potential risks: Over-reliance and cognitive skills
On the other hand, Clark expressed concern about the impact of excessive reliance on artificial intelligence on young minds. He explained that adults have already built neural pathways in their brains and possess the necessary cognitive abilities for complex tasks. The danger lies in younger students depending entirely on large language models to complete their homework.
If that happens, they may miss the opportunity to build those crucial cognitive skills and neural pathways necessary for success in life. Therefore, the school seeks to understand how to use artificial intelligence in a way that enhances learning rather than exacerbating the problem of negative technological dependence.
Future facilities: Robotics and esports
The school plans to build advanced facilities that reflect this future-oriented direction. An AI and robotics laboratory will be established as one of the standout spaces in the school, leveraging the heritage of the parent school, which was the only institution outside the United States to win the VEX Robotics Championship.
In addition, the school will develop a dedicated esports laboratory and forge partnerships with esports teams in the UAE. The goal is not merely gaming, but understanding the complete ecosystem surrounding this industry, opening up career horizons for students in fields such as entrepreneurship and technical creativity.
Harmony with Dubai’s vision for the future
Clark emphasized that one of the reasons for his move to Dubai is the government’s ambition and willingness to adopt modern and innovative technologies. The school views itself as a ready partner to support Dubai’s ambitious agenda in education and technology. By focusing on rigorous academic excellence alongside advanced technological skills, Queen Elizabeth School aims to prepare a generation ready to lead the future in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Frequently asked questions
When is Queen Elizabeth School scheduled to open in Dubai?
The school is scheduled to open in Dubai Sports City in August 2026.
How does the school use artificial intelligence in education?
The school uses artificial intelligence to customize educational resources to suit students’ diverse needs (inclusivity) and provides robotics laboratories, while emphasizing the avoidance of total reliance on AI to preserve mental skills.
What is the relationship between the school and DeepMind?
Two of the founders of the pioneering AI company DeepMind, Demis Hassabis and Mustafa Suleyman, are alumni of the parent school in London.
Will the school focus on video games?
Yes, the school will establish an esports laboratory, but the focus will be on understanding the industry, entrepreneurship, and the technical side, rather than just recreational gaming.
