This paper starts with the idea that knowledge has become one of the most important factors to determine human development and explore the different requirements that need to be met by the government and the citizens of the UAE to succeed in building a knowledge society (KS). An explanation and examination of the five pillars of establishing a KS in the Arab World, as stated in the 2003 United Nations report, is carried out to study the possibility of creating a KS in the UAE. The present paper highlights the important roles teachers can perform to help students to become active members of the new society. (Contains 6 figures.)