AI Literacy in Education: What is it?

I have seen a lot about "AI Literacy" lately, and how it is an essential need in education. 

However, I have seen very little about what AI Literacy actually means or what it is. 

So, how can we build literacy in something that is constantly changing and still in its infancy? 

After all, the people creating these AI systems, such as OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, are still trying to figure out exactly how their creations work.

So what can we do to establish AI Literacy?

Well, we can start with understanding what "Literacy" actually is and how to leverage it. 

Literacy itself, or in this regard, "Subject-Specific Literacy" refers to having the basic knowledge and skills to understand and engage with a particular subject. 

It’s important to note that Subject-Specific Literacy is just the basics with some additional domain knowledge and can be pretty far away from "Subject Mastery" which involves a deeper, more comprehensive understanding and expertise in a specific subject. 

So keeping Subject-Specific Literacy in mind, when discussing AI Literacy in Education we are really talking about:

• Basic Understanding of AI: This involves the introduction and understanding of the fundamental concepts of AI, including how AI systems are designed, how they function, and the basic principles behind these technologies. It's about building a foundational knowledge that allows educators to grasp what AI is and what it isn’t.

  
  

• Critical Thinking about AI: AI literacy in education should leverage critical thinking skills. Educators should learn to question how AI systems make decisions, the data they use, potential biases in these systems, and their broader implications on education as well as ethical considerations.

  
  

• Practical Application: Teaching educators how AI can be applied to various problems of practice is essential. This can include providing real-world examples and leveraging how AI is being used in other fields such as healthcare and finance. 

  
  

• Ethical and Societal Implications: Understanding the ethical and societal impacts of AI is a critical component of AI literacy. Educators should learn about issues like data privacy, AI bias, and the potential for AI to influence decision-making.

  
  

• Navigating AI Safely and Responsibly: AI literacy involves teaching educators how to navigate the world of AI safely and responsibly. This includes understanding the limitations of AI, privacy considerations, and the importance of using AI technologies in a manner that is ethical and in line with educational values.

  
  

• Creating AI-Driven Solutions: Advanced aspects of AI literacy might also involve educators learning to create and work with AI-driven solutions themselves. Such as building their own GPTs or other tools that they can leverage responsibly to accomplish their work. 

Let’s Wrap IT up 

Establishing AI Literacy in education is not just about keeping pace with technology; it's about shaping a future where educators and students are informed, critical thinkers who can navigate the complexities of AI. 

As we integrate AI into our educational systems, we must remember that while AI Literacy is about the basics it also extends beyond mere awareness or use. 

It's about fostering a deeper understanding of AI's capabilities, limitations, and impacts on society. 

By focusing on the areas outlined above, we can ensure that our educators are not just users of AI, but also informed participants in the ongoing conversation about how this technology shapes our world.