Will UAE parents have to pay extra for GEMS Education’s AI teacher avatars? Here's the answer

GEMS Education, the UAE's largest private school group, is testing AI-powered digital teacher avatars at its GEMS School of Research & Innovation (SRI) in Dubai. The technology, developed in partnership with AI company Napster, is expected to be available before the end of 2026.

During the initial trial, selected teachers and students will have access to the AI avatars through a controlled school environment, rather than purchasing them individually. The avatars will not replace live teachers but will serve as on-demand learning support, helping students review explanations, practice skills, prepare for tasks, and receive initial feedback during and outside of regular school hours.

The AI avatars will be controlled interfaces, grounded in selected educational resources and approved subject content. Teachers will have full control over the avatars' use and can pause or withdraw access at any time. GEMS Education will retain the ability to deactivate any avatar that a teacher no longer wishes to be represented by.

The technology aims to reduce screen time, with interactions kept short, purposeful, and appropriate to the student's age and learning activity. It will initially focus on bounded, purposeful learning activities, such as guided practice, revision, formative feedback, communication, presentation development, reflection, goal-setting, and access to approved curriculum resources.

The platform will support multilingual interaction, initially focusing on English and Arabic. Teachers and students will benefit from additional guided practice, explanations, and formative feedback when a teacher is not immediately available, giving teachers more capacity for meaningful interaction with students.