Artificial intelligence literacy can be defined as the ability to understand, use, and think critically about AI technologies and their impact on society, ethics, and everyday life (Lo, 2025; Laupichler et al., 2022). More broadly, the term refers to the knowledge and understanding of AI that is necessary for individuals to participate in the broader discourse around AI and make informed decisions about its use and implications (Laupichler et al., 2022).
AI literacy requires understanding the basics of what AI is and how it works--including knowledge of machine learning algorithms, the data that is used to train them, and the limitations and biases that can be present in AI systems--and the ability to use AI tools and platforms to solve problems and accomplish tasks. This may involve coding and programming skills, as well as the ability to understand and work with large datasets (Southworth et al., 2023). Yet, a deep understanding of the technical aspects of AI must be paired with the critical ability to assess the quality and reliability of AI systems, as well as the ability to design and build AI systems that are ethical and fair. In turn, AI ethics involves understanding the moral and ethical implications of AI and being able to make informed decisions about the use of AI in various contexts. This includes considerations of fairness, transparency, accountability, and the potential impacts of AI on society and individuals (Southworth et al., 2023).
In sum, AI literacy relies on a deep understanding of the technical capabilities and limitations of AI as well as on an understanding of its potential impact on society and the ethical considerations involved in its development and deployment (Southworth et al., 2023).
References
Laupichler, M. C., Aster, A., Schirch, J., & Raupach, T. (2022). Artificial intelligence literacy in higher and adult education: A scoping literature review. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 3, 100101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100101
Lo, L. S. (2025). AI literacy: A guide for academic libraries. AI Literacy: A Guide for Academic Libraries. https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.86.3.120
Southworth, J., Migliaccio, K., Glover, J., Glover, J., Reed, D., McCarty, C., Brendemuhl, J., & Thomas, A. (2023). Developing a model for AI across the curriculum: Transforming the higher education landscape via innovation in AI literacy. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 4, 100127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100127
This guide was written by the JCU Writing and Pedagogy Working Group, in the Spring 2024 semester, thanks to a grant issued from the Open Society University Network’s Liberal Arts and Sciences Collaborative to Professor Tara Keenan.
The group--which includes Professors Christin Campbell, Tara Keenan, Theresa Lindo, and Andrew Rutt, as well as Reference and Instruction Librarian Nicoletta Romano--presented the results of their work at the 2024 EWCA conference in Limerick, Ireland.
The guide encompasses the most recent research involving AI, university-level writing, and student success data, as well as 10 instructional modules on how to include AI tools into writing assignments while maintaining a liberal arts approach.
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