Generative AI

Artificial intelligence (AI): "the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience."

Encyclopædia Britannica. (2024). Artificial intelligence (AI). Britannica Academic. 

Image: "Artificial Intelligence & AI & Machine Learning" by Mike MacKenzie is licensed under Creative Commons CC-BY 2.0.

What is AI Literacy?

There is no current common definition for AI Literacy, but Long & Magerko (2020) summarize it as a set of competencies that enables individuals to critically evaluate AI technologies; communicate and collaborate effectively with AI; and use AI as a tool online, at home, and in the workplace.  

This can be organized under three categories:

1. Design Concepts: People who are AI literate should have a conceptual understanding of the technology involved in creating AI-based tools, as well as the relevant computer science and engineering subfields. Since the understanding is conceptual, it does not require a technical background or training.
2. Evaluating AI Tools: People who are AI literate should be able to critically evaluate AI tools and their outputs, so as to productively communicate and collaborate with them. Understanding the design concepts is foundational to this competency.  
3. Ethics of AI Applications: People who are AI literate should be able to consider the human-centered social and ethical implications of the variety of AI applications. To understand how be an ethically responsible user and creator of AI tools, all three competencies are necessary.

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