Developing AI Literacy for Both Teachers and Students

"AI is a tool, but understanding it is a skill."

In today’s fast-evolving educational landscape, one truth is becoming increasingly clear: AI is no longer the future it’s the present. From personalised learning platforms to automated grading systems and predictive data analytics, Artificial Intelligence is already shaping how schools function and how students learn. But to fully benefit from AI’s transformative potential, schools must go beyond simply using it they must understand it. This is where AI literacy becomes not just important but essential.

What Is AI Literacy?

AI literacy refers to the ability to understand, evaluate, and interact with artificial intelligence tools and systems in a thoughtful, ethical, and informed way. It includes more than just technical know-how; it involves critical thinking, data awareness, ethical reasoning, and digital confidence. For both teachers and students, this means understanding how AI works, where it’s being used, what it can and cannot do and what it should do.

Just as we teach reading, writing, and numeracy, we must now teach our learners how to navigate, question and use AI responsibly.

Why It Matters for Teachers

Teachers are the frontline facilitators of learning. If they don’t understand AI, how can they guide their pupils in using it meaningfully? AI can support teachers in lesson planning, assessment, classroom management and even in identifying learning gaps. But without proper literacy, there's a risk of relying on AI tools without questioning their outputs, reinforcing bias or missing key pedagogical insights.

AI-literate teachers can:

• Evaluate AI-based educational tools for accuracy and fairness.
• Model ethical and responsible AI use in the classroom.
• Help students build resilience against misinformation, deepfakes and algorithmic bias.
• Lead conversations around the social and ethical implications of AI in society.

Why It Matters for Students

For students, AI is already shaping the world they live in. From the algorithms that curate their social media feeds to the tools they use for studying and revision, AI touches nearly every aspect of their daily experience.

By embedding AI literacy into the curriculum, schools empower students to:

• Understand how AI affects their lives and choices.
• Develop skills in coding, logic and systems thinking.
• Cultivate curiosity about future technologies and STEM pathways.
• Become thoughtful, critical users not just passive consumers of digital tools.

In a digitally connected world, AI literacy is the foundation of future readiness.

A Whole-School Responsibility

AI literacy shouldn’t be confined to the computing or ICT department. It needs to be a whole-school initiative embedded across subjects, supported by leadership, and nurtured through professional development.

At 5 Star Education, we champion inclusive and forward-thinking education. That’s why we’re calling on school leaders, classroom teachers, and policy-makers to prioritise AI literacy as a core digital competency not just for future coders or engineers, but for every learner and educator.

Practical First Steps for Schools

1. Audit your current digital curriculum – Where does AI show up? Where could it?
2. Offer CPD for teachers – Ensure your staff feel confident discussing and using AI.
3. Encourage inquiry-based learning – Let students explore real-world uses of AI.
4. Promote ethical discussions – Tackle AI bias, surveillance, and privacy in PSHE or Citizenship.
5. Partner with edtech providers wisely – Look for tools that support transparency and inclusivity.

Final Thoughts

AI is a tool. Understanding it is a skill.
As with any powerful technology, the value of AI in education depends on how wisely it’s used. By promoting AI literacy throughout the school community, we equip both teachers and students with the skills to thrive in a world shaped by intelligent systems responsibly, ethically and creatively.