Why should you care about AI Literacy?
Think AI is just your students using chatgpt? AI is an ever growing presence in our every day lives... For our students, these are most prevalent in their use of social media; from TikTok algorithms, to voice assistants, even the spellcheck—
AI literacy isn’t optional anymore. Students need basic working knowledge to master and understand it in order to navigate the world. They need AI Literacy.
So, what is AI literacy?
At its core, being AI literate is to understand, use, and think critically about AI. This includes:
Knowing what AI can and can’t do
Recognizing when you’re interacting with an AI system
Understanding the ethical implications of AI in society
Asking thoughtful questions about data, privacy, and fairness
In 2021, when I first tried to gain more professional development on AI in edtech, I came across MIT RAISE (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education). RAISE makes accessible resources that helps educators and lifelong learners understand how AI works and how it affects their lives.
As a librarian and educator, this approach resonates with me. Librarians are champions of information literacy, media literacy, and digital citizenship in schools. AI literacy is the next logical path of the work we do.
It is imperative that teachers and librarians are ready to guide students in an increasingly AI-powered world.
Having AI literacy helps students become informed citizens and responsible tech users. It should not be optional, it is a core skill for the next generation.
Ready to start?
Check out the resources at MIT RAISE
Download our AI Literacy Starter Pack to immediately try key ideas in your next lesson.
