Opinion: Billions of People Must Learn to Become AI Literate Or Risk Being Left Out of the New Economy

In a recent article, MIT Senior Fellow and Investor, John Werner, argues why billions of people must learn AI literacy or risk being left behind in the new automation economy.

AI literacy is critical as AI becomes the new immersive technology; those who understand and can use AI effectively will gain exceptional power, while others risk being left behind.

Defining AI literacy: Unlike traditional literacy, which focuses on reading and writing, AI literacy involves viewing AI technologies critically, understanding their context, and making informed decisions about their use:

• It requires the ability to discern the benefits and challenges of AI while questioning its design and implementation.
• AI literacy is more about manipulating reality with technologies than memorizing or sounding out words.

The need for widespread AI literacy: Chris McKay from IIA emphasizes the importance of investing in AI literacy at individual, business, and societal levels:

• History shows that ignorance can lead to downfall, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when a lack of health literacy negatively impacted many communities.
• AI literacy will allow for better questions, deeper conversations, and the inclusion of more voices in discussions about AI’s development and use.

Benefits of AI literacy: Broadly applied AI literacy can bring important social benefits:

• It will enable the development of effective oversight, better regulation, and governance of AI technologies.
• AI literacy can help leverage the technology to improve everyday lives.

Recommendations for businesses and individuals: McKay suggests that continuous learning is non-negotiable and that application of AI knowledge is key:

• Businesses should focus on developing AI literacy within their organizations to effectively apply the technology.
• Individuals should strive to understand and use AI rather than aiming for deep technical expertise.

Broader implications: As AI continues to advance rapidly, increasing AI literacy across society will be crucial to ensure that the technology is developed and used responsibly, with input from a diverse range of voices. Failing to prioritize AI literacy risks exacerbating power imbalances and leaving many people behind as AI transforms various aspects of life and work. Policymakers, educators, and business leaders must work together to develop effective programs and interventions to increase AI literacy and foster informed decision-making about the technology’s use.