AI Literacy in Higher Education: A Synthesis of Empirical Evidence from Korean University Students

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI (GenAI), is fundamentally transforming the landscape of higher education. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into academic and professional environments, university students must acquire the competencies necessary to navigate and leverage these technologies effectively—a reality that calls for a critical examination of AI literacy. This paper synthesizes findings from empirical studies conducted at Korean universities to elucidate the critical importance of AI literacy for contemporary university students. Collectively, prior research demonstrates that AI literacy is a multidimensional construct encompassing technical understanding, critical evaluation, and ethical judgment. The findings underscore the urgent need for differentiated, discipline-specific AI education programs that address foundational knowledge gaps while fostering responsible and effective AI utilization. Finally, this paper offers practical recommendations for curriculum development and institutional guidelines aimed at preparing university students to become autonomous, critical, and ethical users of AI technologies.