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AI Literacy Framework: Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

What’s the real problem with students using ChatGPT?

It’s not that they’re cheating.
It’s that most of them don’t understand how these tools work.

Students are already experimenting with AI in school, at home, and on social media. But they’re doing it without much guidance. Many of them accept AI outputs without thinking. They don’t spot bias in the data. Some aren’t aware that AI is shaping the content they see online, or even the feedback they get in class.

That’s where AI literacy comes in. And it’s why the EU AI Literacy Framework is such a crucial step.

The gap is clear:

  • 49% of Gen Z can’t tell when AI invents facts
  • 74% believe AI will shape their future careers
  • But only 46% feel school is preparing them for that future
    (Source: Merriman & Sáiz, 2024; Vodafone Foundation, 2024)

This isn’t just about digital tools. It’s about preparing students to live and work in a world powered by algorithms, automation, and generative models. And right now, there’s no clear plan in most classrooms for how to teach that.

What Is the AI Literacy Framework?

The AI Literacy Framework was developed by the European Commission and OECD, with input from Code.org and global education experts. Its aim is to define what students need to know and do to be AI literate.

It supports:

  • Students who need a deeper understanding of how AI works
  • Teachers who want to introduce AI concepts into any subject
  • Education leaders shaping policy across regions
  • Future assessments like PISA 2029, which will measure media and AI literacy

AI literacy goes beyond using tools like ChatGPT. The framework focuses on helping learners:

  • Understand the fundamentals of how AI systems work
  • Ask questions about where data comes from and how outputs are generated
  • Use AI ethically and responsibly
  • Reflect on the wider social, environmental and personal impact of these technologies

It’s also designed to align with major policy and governance efforts including:

The AI Literacy Framework offers a consistent structure that can work across different countries and education systems, giving schools a foundation to build from.

Why AI Literacy for Students Is a Non-Negotiable

Students are already engaging with AI every day. But many don’t fully understand what’s happening behind the scenes.

According to global studies:

  • More than half of Gen Z first encountered AI on social media
  • Just 15% said their school or teachers introduced them to it
  • And nearly half worry that AI could make academic gaps worse
    (Source: Merriman & Sáiz, 2024; Vodafone Foundation, 2024)

When schools don’t address this, students are left to figure it out themselves. That creates real risks.

Without clear teaching:

  • Students might over-trust outputs from AI tools
  • They could miss signs of bias or misinformation
  • They’re less likely to question how data is being collected or used
  • And they may not develop the critical skills that modern employers expect

The AI Literacy Framework is built to tackle those gaps directly. It introduces:

  • A structured set of competences tailored for both primary and secondary learners
  • Skills focused on digital thinking, ethical reflection, and creative problem-solving
  • Learning scenarios that work whether students are using AI tools or just learning about the concepts

It also shifts the focus from just using AI to understanding it.

Here are some examples from the framework:

  • A 10-year-old uses a writing assistant to brainstorm story ideas but decides what fits her vision
  • A 13-year-old creates a volunteer schedule using AI but assigns tasks based on people’s strengths
  • A 15-year-old notices ads getting more personal after using a family voice assistant, then updates his settings
  • An 18-year-old spots gender bias in an AI wellness app and changes the training data before going further
    (Source: AILit Framework, page 14)

These aren’t just tech skills. They’re thoughtful decisions made by students who understand what AI is doing and take action when something doesn’t seem right.

Inside the EU AI Literacy Framework

The framework is built around four domains. Each one reflects a different way students engage with AI. These aren’t just categories—they represent the core of how young people interact with AI in real life.

The Four Domains

  1. Engaging with AI
    Using AI to access content, ask questions, or get feedback. Students are expected to evaluate outputs and decide if they’re useful, biased, or misleading.
  2. Creating with AI
    Collaborating with AI in the creative process. Whether writing, coding, designing, or brainstorming, students learn to use AI without giving up ownership or originality.
  3. Managing AI
    Delegating tasks to AI while staying in control. This is about knowing when to use AI, when not to, and how to integrate it into group work or projects responsibly.
  4. Designing AI
    Understanding how AI is built, trained, and deployed. Students get to explore concepts like data quality, algorithmic fairness, and the real-world effects of design decisions.

Each domain connects to specific competences—there are 22 in total. These include critical thinking, computational thinking, problem solving, self-awareness, and communication.

The framework doesn’t assume students will become AI engineers. But it does assume they will need to understand how these systems work, how to use them thoughtfully, and how to spot risks early.

Here’s a quick overview of the kinds of skills, knowledge, and attitudes covered:

  • Knowledge
    How AI systems process data, what makes them biased, what they can and can’t do.
  • Skills
    Prompt engineering, evaluating AI-generated content, communicating transparently, and collaborating with AI.
  • Attitudes
    Curiosity, responsibility, adaptability, empathy, and a drive to use AI for good.

It’s all designed to be flexible, so teachers can pick up what fits best with their subject and students.

AI Literacy in Education: What Teachers Need to Know

For most schools, the pressure is now on teachers to “figure out AI” while also teaching their regular curriculum. The AI Literacy Framework recognises this challenge and supports teachers through structured examples and classroom-ready scenarios.

AI literacy doesn’t need to be a separate subject. It can be integrated across subjects like:

  • English: exploring how AI tools write and what they miss
  • Science: using AI to organise data or generate hypotheses
  • History: evaluating bias in AI-generated historical narratives
  • Art: collaborating with AI on creative projects
  • Citizenship: debating ethical implications and privacy risks

Here’s why it works:

  • The framework includes scenarios for both primary and secondary levels. These show how competences can be introduced using realistic classroom activities.
  • Every competence is paired with age-appropriate examples.
    For instance, a primary student might compare their own drawing with one created by an AI tool, while a secondary student might test bias in AI outputs related to social issues.

Teachers don’t need to have a deep tech background. The framework breaks down the technical parts into clear, teachable knowledge points.

It encourages educators to focus on guiding discussion, prompting reflection, and supporting responsible use of tools already present in students’ lives.

What’s Next for the AI Literacy Framework

The framework is still in review. Right now, it’s being refined based on global feedback from educators, policymakers, and researchers. A final version is expected in 2026, and will include:

  • Updated competences
  • Teaching and learning exemplars
  • Policy guidance aligned with the EU AI Act
  • Support materials for curriculum developers and education leaders

It will also shape how students are assessed in the PISA 2029 Media and AI Literacy module, marking the first time AI literacy is formally included in an international assessment of student skills.

In the meantime, educators can already start using the draft version. You can download the full framework and join the feedback process at https://ailiteracyframework.org

The work doesn’t stop at the classroom level. For school leaders, there are key support tools to help roll out AI literacy in a structured and responsible way:

  • The AI Governance in Education Framework provides a strategy canvas for planning AI-related decisions.
  • The AI Risk Assessment Tool helps educators evaluate risk levels in line with EU regulation.
  • A forthcoming AI Literacy Self-Assessment Tool will help teachers and school teams evaluate where they stand and what they need to improve.

FAQs

Is the AI Literacy Framework mandatory?
Not yet. But it’s expected to become a key reference for schools across Europe, especially in light of the EU AI Act and PISA 2029.

What’s the best way to get started with AI literacy in my school?
Start small. Use classroom scenarios from the framework. Focus on critical thinking and ethics. Use tools already available to you—like ChatGPT or AI-based research tools—and have students reflect on their use.

Can I teach AI literacy without using AI tools?
Yes. The framework includes scenarios where students explore AI concepts even if tools aren’t available. Understanding bias, fairness, and decision-making doesn’t require a computer lab.

Is this only for secondary schools?
No. The framework includes primary-level competences and examples too. AI literacy can and should start early.

How does this connect to digital skills and media literacy?
AI literacy builds on existing frameworks like DigComp 2.2. It complements media literacy, digital citizenship, and computational thinking—adding depth in areas like algorithmic reasoning, ethical design, and data use.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Raise the Bar on AI Literacy

The tools are already in students’ hands. The challenge now is helping them use those tools wisely.

AI literacy isn’t about making every student a developer. It’s about helping them become critical thinkers who can spot manipulation, question results, and understand where the tech ends and human judgment begins.

The AI Literacy Framework gives schools a structure to teach those skills. It’s flexible, interdisciplinary, and rooted in the real challenges students face every day.

Use it to guide your curriculum.
Use it to shape teacher training.
Use it to make sure your students don’t just use AI—they understand it.

Explore the full framework and start building AI literacy in your school:
👉 https://ailiteracyframework.org

For implementation planning, check out: