Help students understand what artificial intelligence is, how it works, and the ways it impacts them.
Everywhere you turn, and in online tools we use, there it is—AI. Artificial intelligence is hard to escape. That's why AI literacy has become essential. But make no mistake: AI literacy isn't about learning how to use ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. It's about understanding what it is, how it works, and how it impacts us. And while digital literacy has also become an essential life skill, AI literacy addresses additional concerns. There's overlap, but forming a healthy, safe relationship with technology in general, for ourselves and our larger communities, is the umbrella that AI literacy sits under. With its specific implications, risks, and forms, AI literacy requires specific instruction for students to understand this technology that's seeping into every corner of their lives.
Use the links to jump to any section below:
- What is AI literacy?
- How is AI literacy different from digital literacy and digital citizenship?
- Why is AI literacy important?
- How does AI literacy relate to academic integrity, media literacy, and AI abuses like deepfakes?
- How should AI literacy instruction support school policies?
- What does AI literacy look like at different grade levels?
- How can I learn more about AI literacy as an educator?
- How can I get started implementing AI literacy into actual instruction (without a lot of extra work)?
- How can schools involve families in AI literacy?
What is AI literacy?
Put simply, AI literacy is understanding what AI is and how it works, considering its potential benefits and risks, and thinking critically about how we can all be responsible and ethical users of AI. A common misconception is that it's all about how to use AI, but in the K–12 context, we're talking about foundational knowledge and skills that give students the background to make informed decisions about AI use.
First and foremost, it's important to understand that there are different forms of AI, often embedded into platforms we're already using. Algorithms, for example, are a form of artificial intelligence that influences our online experiences behind the scenes. Recognizing this influence impacts both media literacy and well-being. And that's just one form of AI! Facial recognition, deepfakes, and large language models (LLMs) are just a few others. Being able to think critically about the uses, embedded bias, and impacts of all forms of AI is a goal of AI literacy.
How is AI literacy different from digital literacy and citizenship?
Digital literacy is often seen as instruction about how to use and evaluate digital platforms and information. As an umbrella term, it covers a lot of ground, encompassing all of the essential topic areas: healthy habits, privacy and safety, digital footprint and identity, relationships and communication, cyberbullying and online harms, and information and media literacy. Digital citizenship focuses on several facets of digital literacy, like online behavior and protecting others' privacy.
AI literacy also falls under digital literacy, but it comes with some of its own considerations. For example, creating a nude deepfake of a classmate is definitely an example of an online harm and negative online behavior, but the use of artificial intelligence to create this type of content demands specific information and guidance. In other words, because AI has its own capabilities and impacts, students need to understand how it fits into the bigger picture of digital literacy and citizenship.
Why is AI literacy important?
As mentioned above, AI is everywhere. If we use technology at all, chances are AI is embedded as a "feature." In addition to how commonplace it's becoming, its impacts are outpacing other types of tech. Generative AI—just one type among many—is affecting classrooms, and learning itself. Of course, AI-enabled plagiarism is a huge concern in schools, so teaching kids about how and when it's OK to use AI is one practical reason. Inaccurate information and bias are others.
There's no question that kids are using AI: According to our 2026 research, 70% of teens use AI for schoolwork. But they're not only using it for schoolwork. Nearly 9 in 10 kids age 9 to 17 (86%) use or interact with AI, including about one in four (24%) who do so on a daily basis. Only half of kids (51%) have heard from their school or a teacher about how to tell if information from AI is accurate and trustworthy. A majority (57%) of kids who use AI say they have used it to get information or advice about their health or body, but that information has been proven to regularly contain inaccuracies.
Beyond that are the larger implications of cognitive outsourcing and forming harmful overuse habits that can diminish critical thinking and form a dependency. Our research shows that 20% of kids who use AI, and 42% of kids who use AI daily, say it would be very or somewhat hard for them to go without AI for a month. And nearly half (49%) have used AI to get advice on decisions about their future or goals, 40% for practicing conversations and social skills, and 37% for discussing their feelings or personal problems. Using chatbots as a replacement for human connection comes with risks to well-being, not only because of misinformation, but also because AI is a "yes man" and doesn't require real social skills for interaction.
Algorithms can lead to filter bubbles of misinformation and harmful content. Deepfakes can be disinformation that can affect democracy downstream, and AI-generated sexual content can cause serious psychological harm. Facial recognition can include biases and privacy concerns. Energy use and data centers are impacting communities. Truly, at this point, there are no sound arguments against AI literacy if we care about kids' well-being.
Preparing for the Future: Critical Life Skills for K-12 Students
In addition to AI literacy, get students ready for fulfilling futures.
How does AI literacy relate to academic integrity, media literacy, and AI abuses like deepfakes?
Because AI literacy involves understanding its impacts and ethical uses, a basic understanding of these factors prepares kids to make better decisions about AI use. Beyond cheating or not cheating, students need to know what's gained and lost when they use AI for learning. Knowing that AI isn't always accurate and can be used to spread disinformation can boost kids' information and media literacy. And learning about the very serious impacts and consequences that can come from creating deepfakes might prevent the kind of experimentation and risk taking that can cause real harm.
How should AI literacy instruction support school policies?
Having a clear AI policy for your school or district is a great first step, but if kids don't have a fundamental understanding of what it actually means in practice, it can ring hollow. In fact, our research shows 43% of teens don't know the rules, don't understand them, or are unsure. If, however, students review the policy alongside AI literacy instruction, they'll have a deeper understanding of what those expectations actually mean. In other words, kids' AI literacy directly supports your AI policy.
What does AI literacy look like at different grade levels?
It may surprise you that even the littlest learners can start building AI literacy. As early as kindergarten, kids can start learning the foundational concepts that underline AI literacy. That, of course, doesn't mean kindergarteners—or any other kids—need to use artificial intelligence! But the fundamental elements of digital literacy lay the groundwork for kids who are too young to use AI safely. For example, understanding the difference between fact and fiction, what media is, and how it makes them feel are all part of that foundation.
As students get older and go online to learn and research, they learn how to verify sources, why videos and images online aren't always authentic, and what fair use means in the age of AI. When they're developmentally ready, they can dig into what artificial intelligence is—in all of its forms—and how it impacts their lives. At an age when they'd rather ask a chatbot potentially embarrassing questions than an adult, we want them to learn about misinformation and other risks they might experience. Along the way, we can encourage all of the very human skills that AI can't replace, and why embarrassment—or friction of any kind—can actually be a valuable part of human relationships, making us vulnerable and more connected with each other.
K–2
Using Tech to Learn New Things
3–5
Personally Identifiable Information
Healthy Tech Habits & Our Feelings
6–12
AI Algorithms: How Well Do They Know You?
Telephone Trouble: Mis- & Disinformation
Facing Off with Facial Recognition
Does Our AI Policy Work for Us?
Creativity: Defining What's Yours
Creativity: Sharing It with AI
Is AI a Choice or a Necessity?
How can I learn more about AI literacy as an educator?
Firstly, it's a great idea to learn more! At this stage, we really can't afford to turn our backs on artificial intelligence, even if we never use it. Our students are using it—for schoolwork, for companionship, and for advice. To have productive conversations and offer guidance, educators have to understand the pros and cons of its use.
It's easy to find resources, since there are tons out there about AI for educators. Some of them focus primarily on how to use it or how to save yourself time. If those materials don't have cautions about the risks or straight talk about the mistakes that AI makes, then you might want to pass.
But you don't need to hand over your very hard-earned cash to do it, either. Our training courses and webinars are always free, carefully constructed, and grounded in the realities of what AI can and can't do well. We also include the risks of bias and inaccuracies that can sacrifice quality and ultimately cost you time (instead of saving it).
Training Courses
ChatGPT Foundations for K–12 Educators
Advanced ChatGPT for K–12: Unlocking Educator Agency
Webinars & Articles
Still Human: Educating for Democracy in the Age of AI
What the Best AI Literacy Guidebooks Get Right
AI Leadership in Action: Building Bridges Between Students,Staff, and Systems
Building Authentic Relationships in an AI-Driven World
Teachers' Essential Guide to AI Fundamentals with Apple
Teachers' Essential Guide to Creativity with Apple Intelligence
ChatGPT and Beyond: How to Handle AI in Schools
3 Core Human Skills to Build Before AI Use
Practical Tips for Teachers to Use AI
How to Help Prevent AI Use for Plagiarism
How can I get started implementing AI literacy into actual instruction (without a lot of extra work)?
Here's one way to think about this: AI literacy actually helps address some issues, like academic integrity and deepfakes, that will ultimately save you time and headaches. You're also giving kids the skills they need, which is worth your time. But we know the reality: You have a lot to do already.
Many of our lessons are 15 to 20 minutes, and they're super easy to use, with minimal prep. Plus, our Two Truths & AI game is a great way to give kids an interactive experience that illustrates how tricky it can be to identify AI use. But there are also other ways to work it in! Using media to get the discussion going might help you tie AI literacy to other topics you're already teaching. There are plenty of movies, books, and podcasts that involve AI and can also link to other learning goals. And if you ever take time to discuss current events, AI and its uses are all over the news, all the time!
How can schools involve families in AI literacy?
First, inform families about the school's or district's AI policy, and make it readable and approachable for those who aren't familiar with AI. Next, give parents and caregivers their own resources to understand AI basics and connect with their kids around it.
Two Truths & AI game
Google's AI Search Is Failing Kids—and Parents Can't Turn It Off
How to Help Kids Stay Safe with Google's AI Search
