#405 – An AI Literacy Framework

An AI Literacy Framework

In today’s episode, we’ll explore a newly developed draft document—Empowering Learners for the Age of AI: An AI Literacy Framework for Primary and Secondary Education—from the European Commission and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), with support from Code.org and other leading international experts.

Defining AI Literacy

• The authors provide a draft definition: “AI literacy represents the technical knowledge, durable skills, and future-ready attitudes required to thrive in a world influenced by AI. It enables learners to engage, create with, manage, and design AI, while critically evaluating its benefits, risks, and ethical implications.”
• They also add that the integration of AI literacy is a “shared responsibility across the education ecosystem, rather than the duty of any individual educator.”

Themes

Three key themes emerged:

• How AI and Machine Learning Work
• Human Skills to Emphasize for Successful Collaboration with AI Tools
• AI’s Effects on Individuals, Society, and the Environment

Domains

The framework is broken down into four domains of AI literacy:

• Engaging with AI
• Creating with AI
• Managing AI
• Designing AI

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes

The document delves into applicable knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students will need in an AI-powered world:

• Knowledge:
  • The Nature of AI
  • AI Reflects Human Choices and Perspectives
  • AI Reshapes Work and Human Roles
  • AI’s Capabilities and Limitations
  • AI’s Role in Society
• Skills:
  • Critical Thinking
  • Creativity
  • Computational Thinking
  • Self and Social Awareness
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
• Attitudes:
  • Responsible
  • Curious
  • Innovative
  • Adaptable
  • Empathetic

Competences

• This is the main section of the document, structured around the four domains of the framework.
• Connections are made to the aforementioned knowledge, skills, and attitudes throughout.

Feedback

• Those wishing to review the document and provide feedback can access an online survey at teachai.org/ailiteracy/review.