In conversations with education leaders across the Middle States network, one question keeps coming up: “How do we embrace AI without sacrificing what makes learning deeply human?”

Globally, education leaders are grappling with similar AI readiness questions, as reflected in UNESCO’s comprehensive new anthology, AI and the Future of Education: Disruptions, Dilemmas and Directions (UNESCO, 2025).

Excel is pairing AI with competency checks so students can show what they know and get to the right next step. They will expand their in-course tutor and teacher-facing supports with the same closed-system guardrails. 

“AI will help students demonstrate competency and then challenge them in ways that fit their learning style” — Charlie Buehler Hoard, COO

This year marks a turning point for education. For the 2025–26 academic year, the Ministry of Education in the UAE is implementing an Artificial Intelligence curriculum across all public schools (Rasheed, 2025).

The goal of this curriculum is to strengthen students’ abilities to apply AI technology in a “safe, ethical, and responsible manner” (Rasheed, 2025).