Education on AI (AI Literacy) includes four key elements: understanding what artificial intelligence is; how to use it responsibly; recognizing its potential risks; and identifying skills needed to work with AI. Together, these elements enable more effective interaction with AI technology, responsible use, critical assessment of its ethical implications, and understanding its role in society. By being knowledgeable and skilled in using artificial intelligence, individuals will be able to choose the most effective tools for their needs. For instance, if creativity in text is the goal, ChatGPT may be the ideal choice, while Copilot is more advanced for results based on sources.
The lack of AI literacy in society allows individuals to delve deeper into the world of artificial intelligence without acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate this technology effectively. As a result, people may make important decisions after interacting with AI, unaware of its limitations, such as the potential inaccuracy of the information it provides. A low level of AI literacy also makes society more vulnerable to manipulation through disinformation, such as deepfakes, generated by the misuse of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, AI literacy helps us understand the current limits of AI technology, with its dependence on the data used in model training. because when data is biased or scarce, models can perform poorly.
The role of formal and informal education in AI literacy
Integrating AI literacy into school curricula is crucial for creating a long-term impact on society. Everyone needs to understand the concept of AI, its societal implications, and the ethical aspects of using AI tools from an early age. Integrating AI literacy can be integrated into various subjects, starting with basic concepts and gradually progressing to deeper knowledge about the responsible use of AI tools. As students advance, they can explore programming and the creation of new tools based on artificial intelligence. To achieve this, the current curriculum must be adapted, teachers need to be trained, and school infrastructure must be created and improved. Another challenge is that teachers must stay updated on the rapid development of AI technology. AI literacy must evolve dynamically, in parallel with the advancements of artificial intelligence itself. The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation should lead this process.
In addition to formal education, there should also be community initiatives for AI literacy, such as seminars for different social groups, online modules or self-paced courses. Various civil society organizations can engage in this shorter-term solution by offering opportunities to gain knowledge through activities like workshops, seminars, or online courses. Self-paced courses are particularly effective because they allow individuals to learn at their own pace, fit learning into their schedules, and overcome barriers like geographical distance or other factors that may limit participation in in-person courses. Media campaigns are another effective way to target adults who are no longer part of the formal education system. NGOs should form partnerships with technology companies, combining the companies' technological expertise with the NGOs’ experience to undertake community-focused activities. These collaborations can help organize important events and initiatives to spread knowledge about AI as widely as possible. Additionally, such partnerships can result in the creation of new AI tools tailored to the specific needs of the community.
Institutional support and inclusiveness
In addition to the grants that various international organizations will continue to provide in Kosovo, our state institutions should also create funds and resources that support initiatives aimed at expanding AI literacy in the country. It is also important to ensure that these programs and initiatives are inclusive and accessible to all communities living in Kosovo, with content adapted to reflect the language and cultural needs of each group.
The changes taking place, along with those that will follow due to the rapid development of technology and artificial intelligence, require everyone's commitment to be as prepared as possible for the integration of AI into various aspects of our daily lives. Therefore, society must possess the necessary skills to use, understand, and critically evaluate technology and AI. A society knowledgeable about AI will be better equipped to understand the benefits of AI tools, as well as their limitations. Also, everyone will be able to use AI responsibly and ethically for their personal and professional needs. The biggest mistake would be to categorically reject these tools and attempt to avoid the entire range of artificial intelligence technologies that are already being successfully integrated into various sectors of life.
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