AI literacy and the future of education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how knowledge is created, accessed, and applied, demanding a redefinition of what it means to be literate in the 21st century. This chapter examines AI literacy as a multidimensional competency. It traces the evolution of literacy from traditional, digital, and computer literacies to the emerging demands of AI, framing AI literacy through three complementary orientations: functionalist (workforce readiness), critical (ethical and civic agency), and creative (co-creation with AI). Drawing on influential AI literacy frameworks—AI4K12, UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework, and the EC/OECD’s AILit—it explores how global initiatives operationalise these orientations while grappling with cultural and contextual differences. The chapter advances the argument that AI literacy must progress from ‘learning about’ AI towards ‘learning with’ AI, where learners develop competence through authentic collaboration with intelligent systems. It positions STEM education as a critical vehicle for cultivating this literacy, while emphasising the need for cross-disciplinary, ethically grounded, and culturally responsive approaches. Ultimately, the chapter frames AI literacy as a project of empowerment, enabling individuals not only to navigate but also to actively shape AI-mediated futures.