Why AI Literacy Should Be Taught in Schools

Preparing Students for the Future

Ever hear of Rubylith? Unless you're a retired graphic designer, probably not. But back in the mid-'90s, when I began taking graphic design classes, my college was still using Rubylith in traditional photo-mechanical processes. Using emerging technologies like desktop computers and laser printers wasn't allowed. My professor actually marked me down for using digital rather than mechanical technology. He simply didn't see where things were heading. Within just a few years, desktop publishing became the industry standard, and all the techniques he had been teaching us were obsolete.

That experience reminds me of the current discussion around artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Many educators today are wary of AI tools like ChatGPT, concerned about cheating or misuse. But just as we couldn't shy away from calculators, computers or the internet in the classroom, we can't afford to shy away from AI or vilify it. As educators, it's our responsibility to prepare students for the future, and AI is going to be part of that future.

Just as you can't effectively teach a class today without knowing how to operate a computer, it's now just as important to understand how to integrate AI into assignments. This isn't about replacing critical thinking; it's about enhancing it and empowering students to navigate an increasingly AI-driven world.

AI Literacy as a Critical Skill

AI literacy is becoming as essential as digital literacy. According to the authors of Artificial Intelligence in Education: Promises and Implications for Teaching and Learning, AI is expected to become as commonplace in the classroom as the internet. The World Economic Forum predicts that while 85 million jobs may be displaced by the shift between humans and machines, 97 million new roles will emerge by 2025. These roles will require our students to collaborate with AI, not fear it.

A 2023 LinkedIn report highlighted that AI-related job postings had increased by 119% year over year, across industries from tech to healthcare, marketing and beyond. If we don't prepare our students now, they'll lack the critical skills they need to thrive in a job market that demands AI literacy.

Prompt Engineering: A New Frontier in Learning

It's critical for educators to understand prompt engineering. It lets students engage deeply with topics using AI, helping them explore, immerse, brainstorm, synthesize, iterate and outline complex ideas while still doing the hard work of analysis and creative thinking. AI isn't a shortcut. It's a tool that challenges students to think more critically and creatively than ever before.

Just as math students are required to show their work, educators can ask students to provide the prompt engineering that led to the final draft of their paper. This helps students use AI ethically while deepening their understanding of the technology.

For some students, particularly those with ADHD, AI can be a game changer. AI adapts to their hyper-focus, letting them immerse themselves in topics they're passionate about and dive deeper than they might in traditional settings. This tailored engagement helps them excel where conventional methods might fall short.

Ethical Use of AI in Education

Of course, any new technology can be misused. Some may argue that using AI tools like ChatGPT to generate content is cheating. It is cheating if a student prompts the AI to write an entire article for them. But let's consider an alternative. What if a student uses ChatGPT as a research tool? If they ask the AI to help them explore topics and gather ideas, and then compile that information based on their own interests and analysis, I don't see that as cheating. It's no different from using multiple sources to write a paper: the student is still actively engaging with the material, processing the information and making it their own.

Just as we teach students how to fact-check sources on the internet or use calculators responsibly, we can teach them to use AI ethically. By showing students how to use AI responsibly to enhance their work rather than replace it, we prepare them for the ethical dilemmas they may face in their careers.

Real-World Applications of AI in Education

AI isn't only about future jobs; it's also about improving how we teach now. Smith and Anderson, in "AI and the Future of Creative Writing: Enhancing, Not Replacing, the Author," argue that AI can augment the creative process. For example, in creative writing, students can use AI to brainstorm ideas, refine character development or explore alternative plot structures. But the intellectual work of crafting the narrative, making decisions and adding personal style still belongs to the student.

By teaching students to use AI as a brainstorming and research partner rather than a shortcut, we foster creativity and critical thinking. AI should be seen as a collaborator, not a replacement.

The Future of AI in Education

The world is evolving, and so must our classrooms. By embracing AI and teaching students to use it responsibly, we give them the skills they need for the future. Whether they pursue careers in tech, healthcare, business or the arts, AI literacy will be a vital part of their success.

My photo-mechanical graphic design class taught me that technology can make skills obsolete in just a few short years. Our students are facing an even faster evolution with AI. Let's make sure they're ready for it.

So, as educators, we have to ask ourselves: Are we preparing our students for the world as it was, or the world as it will be? Let's embrace AI, guide our students in its responsible use, and make sure they have the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing future.

For more on the future of AI in education, check out the U.S. Department of Education's report, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning.

Christian Lambert is an AI evangelist, a former adjunct professor of digital content creation at Ensign College, and host of The Well•Rounded Show on YouTube.