Degrees of Change

Chapter 4The Importance of AI Literacy

—Juan M. Lavista Ferres, Microsoft

The story of AI in education is not only about how technology transforms classrooms, curricula, and access; it is also about how people themselves must adapt to use these tools wisely. Just as the printing press demanded reading literacy and the Internet demanded digital literacy, the rise of AI now requires a new kind of literacy: AI literacy.

Without it, the opportunities we explored in the previous chapter—personalized tutoring, expanded access through language, and reduced scarcity of educators—risk being undermined by misunderstanding, overreliance, or misuse. To fully realize the promise of AI in education, we must equip learners and teachers alike with the skills to engage critically and responsibly with these systems.

AI Skills in Modern Life

Digital skills are not new. Since the earliest days of the personal computer, society has recognized the importance of equipping people with the ability to interact with technology. In the 1980s and 1990s, being “computer literate” required significant effort and was considered a very specialized skill. Today, it has become a near prerequisite for participation in modern economies.

It is difficult to imagine someone without digital skills easily finding employment in most fields today. Computers and smartphones have become central not only to work, but also to communication, access to information, and personal expression. Whether drafting an email, joining ...