Definition

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy refers to the essential knowledge, skills, and mindset required to understand, engage with, and effectively use artificial intelligence systems in various aspects of life. 
• AI literacy can be understood and well defined in three aspects.
• Firstly, AI literacy as “human-AI collaboration”. Understanding how AI systems work and how to effectively collaborate with them as co-pilots, rather than being passive users. 
• Secondly, AI literacy as “critical AI awareness”. The ability to interpret and criticise AI-generated content, recognising bias, fairness, and ethical implications in automated decision-making. 
• Thirdly, AI literacy as “problem-solving with AI”. The capacity to design, apply, and creatively leverage AI to solve real-world challenges, regardless of whether one is a programmer or not.

Importance of AI Literacy for India

• Economic Growth and Competitiveness: AI literacy will drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological leadership, helping India to move forward  as a global AI leader.
• Job Creation and Workforce Readiness: Equipping the workforce with AI skills will enhance employability and ensure resilience in an evolving job market.
• Inclusive Development: Promoting AI literacy across urban and rural areas will bridge the digital divide and thus leading to  inclusive technological participation.
• Ethical and Responsible AI Use: Awareness of AI ethics will empower individuals and organizations to build and use AI in a responsible manner thus reducing biases and ensuring fairness.
• Empowered Citizens: AI-literate citizens can engage in informed decision-making, influence AI policy, and participate in digital society as active contributors rather than passive consumers.

Way Forward

• • India should develop a national K-12 AI literacy curriculum, ensuring AI education reaches every student, public and private, rural and urban alike. 

• The K-12 curriculum refers to the comprehensive education framework that spans from kindergarten (K) to 12th grade. 

• India should take steps to establish experiential AI maker labs and tinkering spaces in learning environments nationwide, promoting hands-on, practical AI learning. 
• India should invest in AI and the future of work, emphasising broad-based tech and data literacy, workforce reskilling, and preparing youth for an automated and evolving employment landscape. 
• India should take steps to spread AI literacy among the masses, ensuring that contextually and culturally sensitive AI literacy initiatives are accessible to every Indian. 
• A National AI literacy platform or movement that connects diverse stakeholders, governments, businesses, educators, and civil society, can be launched,  to drive forward India’s AI literacy mission.
• AI literacy is not optional in the coming days; rather it is a key requirement for India’s future competitiveness, innovation, and societal well-being.