Summary
This article, originally published by Marhaba Information Guide, explores how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the educational landscape in Qatar. The piece features CMU-Q’s Giselle Reis, area head of AI and CS, about the new BSAI degree program, he ethical use of AI in classrooms, and the distinction between the CS and AI degrees. The article also covers broader national strategies by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) and the Qatar National Vision 2030.
By Ola Diab, Marhaba Information Guide
Originally published in Marhaba.qa on January 13, 2026, and in the Marhaba Guide: Education in Qatar, Winter 2025/26.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly and vastly transforming the world, and its impact is now reaching classrooms as more higher education institutions introduce and integrate AI into their curricula.
The worldwide shift towards artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming every walk of life. The wide- ranging tool is expected to improve industries like healthcare, manufacturing and customer service, and retail and shopping.
According to UNESCO, AI has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in education, innovate teaching and learning practices, and accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to provide children and young people with quality and easy access to education plus other learning opportunities.
In recent years, several higher education institutions in Qatar have begun to introduce and incorporate AI into their various education programmes. Speaking to Marhaba, Giselle Reis, the Area Head of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, and Associate Teaching Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), said: “The faculty at CMU-Q is still trying to figure out how much AI helps or hinders education, a common dilemma for educators worldwide. We have developed guidelines on how much AI is allowed, and each instructor can decide the limit for their courses. There are courses that do not allow AI to be used at all, others allow sometimes, and yet others allow always. Faculty often have discussions among themselves about their experiences, strategies, and policies.
“However, there is still no clear understanding on what is a ‘proper’ use of AI for learning, and I believe it will take a few generations to get there. Beyond the classroom, faculty reported using AI to help design storytelling, presentations, and creative topics for assessment,” she added.
The first Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (BSAI) in Qatar
In August 2025, CMU-Q announced the launch of a new undergraduate programme – the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (BSAI) – the first of its kind in Qatar. In 2018, the home campus, Carnegie Mellon, became the first university in America to offer a BSAI degree programme.
“With the rise in popularity and effectiveness of AI tools in the last couple of years, there is great excitement around the technology and the kinds of problems it can solve for us. However, it is an advanced technology that requires very specific expertise to be used correctly. As a sub-area of Computer Science, AI is part of CMU’s Computer Science bachelor’s degree but the demand for more experts in the area justifies a degree focusing solely on AI technology,” said Reis.
The BSAI will provide students with the sophisticated knowledge and skills to become leaders in a field that is transforming the world. In order to bring this top-ranked degree to its Qatar campus, CMU- Q has worked closely with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), as well as Qatar Foundation (QF), to ensure the programme will contribute meaningfully to the future of Qatar and its workforce. The BSAI programme directly supports the human development and economic diversification goals of Qatar by cultivating a highly skilled local talent pool in AI.
CMU-Q offers undergraduate degrees in the growing fields of biological sciences, business administration, computer science and information systems, which incorporated AI education and research before the launch of the BSAI degree.
“CMU’s AI bachelor’s degree follows the same philosophy behind the Computer Science degree, that is, building first the foundational knowledge (computational thinking, problem solving, maths) then following to more specialised and applied courses. Students can thus expect a lot of maths and theory in the first few years, followed by two core courses on AI and Machine Learning, and then domain specific courses such as, for example, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Robotics, Human-AI Interaction, and Deep Learning.
“In addition to technical courses, all students need to take a course on AI and ethics and general education courses in humanities and sciences that give them a better understanding of society, culture, and human decision making. As such, they have both the technical knowledge but also an understanding of how technology can affect our lives,” Reis said.
Students in the BSAI programme will benefit from QF’s multi-university model, gaining opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning and collaboration across its partner universities to explore AI applications in various fields. Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) offers AI-related programmes, including a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (BSDSAI), a Master of Science in Data Science and Engineering, and a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering. In addition, some QF universities offer AI-related minors and training courses, such as the new AI and Media minor at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) and various certification programmes.
University of Science and Technology of Qatar (UDST) offers degrees related to AI, including a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Cybersecurity. CUQ Ulster University offers a Master of Science in AI.
At the College of Engineering at Qatar University (QU), students can take courses in areas like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence as part of the Computer Science and Engineering programmes. QU also offers a Master of Science in Computing where students can pursue AI-related research through the curriculum.
“AI is an advanced technology that requires expertise to be used correctly. Even if current AI tools are very user-friendly, there is a lot we still do not understand about their inner workings. It is very tempting to take a tool off the shelf and trust that it will do the right thing, but we now know that such easy to use tools are very generic and can make mistakes. Moreover, beyond the most popular tools, there are various algorithms and techniques that can be used to solve different problems, with varying degrees of suitability and success. Understanding those algorithms, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they can be tailored to a specific problem is crucial to be able to apply them appropriately,” said Reis.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE)
Under the MOEHE, Qatar has been focusing and exploring ways to incorporate AI technologies into the educational process. The MOEHE is working on governing AI integration into the educational system, as regulatory frameworks and specific standards are being put in place to guide AI applications in education in a way that ensures the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The MOEHE aims to enhance the quality of education through thoughtful AI integration as part of the Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024–2030 (NDS3), which aligns with the broader objectives outlined in Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 with respect to AI. The NDS3 establishes a structured approach to AI integration by developing policies that ensure its safe and ethical use in education. This framework aligns emerging technologies with educational goals through dedicated policies on AI adoption and digital learning.
The MOEHE has been updating the curricula to include AI foundations with the aim of providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the technology and interact with it positively.
According to the MOEHE, AI technologies will enable them to understand individual student needs and tailor educational programmes to their interests and abilities, ultimately leading to better academic and personal outcomes. In addition, the strategy focuses on empowering teachers by equipping them with the tools and training necessary to effectively use AI, enhancing teaching methods and addressing students’ needs in a more personalised and efficient manner.
The MOEHE is working on developing specialised AI experts by attracting top talent and offering training programmes. The aim is to foster innovation and fulfil the ministry’s long-term educational vision.
AI enhances skill development by preparing students for the job market through hands-on experience in data analysis, programming, and e-learning. It also supports continuous assessment, enabling early intervention for struggling students and improving educational outcomes.
The MOEHE is set to sign multiple agreements with international entities and companies specialising in AI to achieve its ambitious goals. Continuous investment in this field will help Qatar stay at the forefront of educational innovation, and position the country as a leader in integrating AI into education.
