WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY.... AI LITERACY AS A CORE LIFE SKILL: EQUIPPING


YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE WORLD Comment by BRIAN MCHUGH, Teacher & Learning & Development Facilitator at School Beyond Limitations


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s the education landscape continues to evolve at pace, AI (Artificial Intelligence) literacy is fast emerging as a fundamental life skill that holds the potential to stand alongside more traditional core skills such as reading, writing, and digital fluency. For today’s students, understanding and engaging with AI not only broadens their educational horizons but also equips them with the tools necessary to navigate


a future where these technologies will play an integral role. Yet AI, as we know it, is not merely an upgraded version of traditional educational tools; it is a transformative partner in the learning process and something that schools need to embrace with open arms. Adopting this kind of perspective will help to reshape education from rote tasks to dynamic opportunities for exploration and innovation. Rather than relying solely on conventional assignments, students can harness AI to delve into complex questions, simulate diverse scenarios, design creative solutions, and pursue personal inquiries that might have previously seemed unattainable. That said, this approach requires a shift which encourages learners to transition from being passive information recipients to active creators and innovators, empowering them to take charge of their educational journeys.


Strengthening authentic learning experiences Interestingly, by deepening our own understanding of AI literacy, we stand to uncover a distinctly human capability: the ability to think expansively, act responsibly, and envision new futures. In a world increasingly driven by creativity, curiosity, and ethical consciousness, AI literacy also cultivates young people’s innate potential to interact positively with technology and adapt to change – a vital skill for the future workplace.


As teachers, we are at the forefront of embracing AI’s potential within our school communities, guided by one clear intention: to ensure that technology serves to strengthen our students’ learning experiences without compromising on authenticity, creativity, or damaging natural curiosity. When the technology is used as a supportive partner, rather than a creative substitute, AI actually supports the creation of valuable resources, simplifies the delivery of instructions, and it offers differentiated texts tailored to individual student needs. This is where AI comes into its own from the perspective of supporting a more personalised educational approach for students. AI can also quickly generate engaging multimedia prompts that ignite inspiration, inquiry, and further discussion amongst students. By reducing time intensive administrative burdens on teachers and expediting the development of more personalised content,


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teachers have more hours in the day and greater bandwidth to focus on what truly matters - fostering meaningful relationships, providing personalised mentoring, and offering holistic support to each individual student.


Tackling challenges head on


Some of the more innovative applications of AI also serve to enhance critical thinking skills amongst students. For example, at our school, we encourage our students to engage thoughtfully with intentionally flawed AI outputs, prompting them to analyse, critique, and enhance their understanding of the information presented to them. We find that this approach not only deepens student engagement, but it prepares them to tackle challenges head on with a discerning and analytical mindset as opposed to passively accepting data purely on face value. Creating a comprehensive digital awareness framework should be an integral part of a schools’ digital strategy. This framework should empower students to explore vital topics such as online safety, digital identity, information literacy, ethics, wellbeing, and the broader societal implications of using AI technology. By examining a number of key issues, ranging from misinformation to digital creativity and algorithmic bias, students will develop the critical, ethical, and reflective skills that are necessary for navigating and influencing a rapidly changing technological landscape


The alignment between teaching practice and the students’ journey toward digital literacy ensures that AI not only nurtures academic growth but also promotes well-rounded, responsible, and empowered participation in our increasingly digital age. As educators, embracing AI literacy as a core life skill in school is essential if our students are to flourish in future professional environments. We have to equip them with the skills needed to excel and adapt in a world heavily influenced by technology and automation. That said, it is equally important that young people understand the many pitfalls of AI and are able to use it responsibly. To recognise the biases and negative implications of AI will in turn, empower students to use it ethically and proactively with far greater impact on their own learning and development needs. By embracing AI as a transformative tool, schools can help to pave the way for future generations to succeed in a world where their creativity and ethical awareness will be more valuable than ever.


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