Inclusion of Artificial Intelligence Concepts and Applications in Computer and Information Technology Curricula in the Saudi General Education

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence (IA) concepts and applications in the content of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) textbooks in Saudi general education. The study adopted the descriptive approach using the method of content analysis. To achieve the purpose of the study, a content analysis tool was developed, and the ICT textbooks were analyzed. The study results indicated that the concepts and applications of AI were available in the content of the intermediate school books in varying overall proportions: (3.46%) in 7th grade, (6.7%) in 8th grade, and (10%) in 9th grade. Additionally, the AI concepts and applications were available in secondary ICT textbooks content: (15%) in 11th grade and (18%) in both 10th-12th grades. The study recommended reconsidering the inclusion of IA concepts and its applications in the ICT textbooks content for the intermediate and secondary educational levels and increasing the inclusion of the AI concepts and applications with transforming from teaching ICT alone in the curricula to focusing more on computing beside the ICT.