Artificial Intelligence Literacy in Preschool Education, Primary Education, and Secondary Education

This review explores artificial intelligence (AI) literacy in early childhood education (ECE) and K-12 education by systematically analyzing 162 publications from January 2020 to March 2026. The findings revealed a rapid increase in research interest, focusing on integrating AI into formal curricula, developing age-appropriate pedagogies, and supporting education stakeholders. Nine primary themes and eight interconnected topics related to AI literacy were identified, ranging from foundational concepts and curriculum design to practical classroom implementation, including pedagogical approaches and teaching strategies, ECE considerations, and teachers' training and competencies. An emphasis on the impact of AI literacy on students' learning, cognitive development, and awareness of ethical and social implications and on shaping human-AI interaction was revealed. The study highlights AI literacy as a multidimensional competency, emphasizes the need to support education stakeholders, and points out its importance across preschool education, primary education, and secondary education.