Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has delivered a message to educators stressing that artificial intelligence will never replace the role of teachers. The message appears in "The Letters," a section of the second volume of his book "Lessons From Life," which compiles 26 reflections drawn from six decades of public service. "Civilisations are built on great ideas, and every great idea begins with a great teacher," Sheikh Mohammed wrote. He added that education is not simply about transmitting knowledge, but about shaping the character that puts that knowledge to use. In a line that has drawn wide attention, he said: "The machine will not take the teacher's role, but the teacher who knows how to use the machine will take the role of the teacher who does not." He also noted that "countries build armies to protect their borders, but they build schools to protect their future." The message calls on teachers to move beyond transmitting information and instead act as guides who help students develop critical thinking, ask meaningful questions, and build human skills such as empathy and cooperation. It comes as the UAE continues to invest heavily in integrating artificial intelligence across its education system, positioning teachers as central to that transformation rather than sidelined by it.