AI Literacy: Shaping a generation for the future

Without the ability to think critically, it's easy to take AI-generated content at face value—and that can lead to problems.

By Ivana Bartoletti

We’re living through a technological revolution, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at its heart. It's not just another tool or passing trend—AI is transforming how we think, learn, and live. As AI reshapes industries and redefines possibilities, a critical question arises: Are we equipping the next generation to navigate and shape this AI-driven future? The answer lies in teaching young people to understand, question, and engage with AI from an early age.

Laying the Groundwork for AI Awareness

AI is already part of our daily lives—helping students learn faster, personalising services, and simplifying tasks. But knowing how to use AI isn’t enough. Young people need to understand how it works. If we teach them early, they’ll grow up recognising both the opportunities and risks it brings.

This isn't about turning children into computer scientists. It's about giving them the tools to ask smart questions and think critically about the technology they encounter every day. When they understand AI’s strengths and weaknesses, they’ll be better prepared to shape its future, not just passively accept it.

Critical Thinking: The First Line of Defence

We live in a world where AI can create convincing content at the click of a button. While that’s exciting, it’s also risky. Without the ability to think critically, it's easy to take AI-generated content at face value—and that can lead to problems.

Young people must be taught to pause and ask: Where did this information come from? Can I trust it? Is it complete, or is something missing? These habits will help them see beyond the surface, whether they’re reading a news article or using an AI tool.

Simple practices like fact-checking or identifying unreliable sources can make a huge difference. And the sooner we start, the more instinctive these skills will become.

Instilling “Distrust by Design” in AI Literacy

One of the most important lessons to instil is the idea of “Distrust by Design.” This doesn’t mean rejecting technology outright—it means demanding transparency, accountability, and fairness at every step.

AI systems are not infallible. They’re created by humans who, even with the best intentions, can introduce biases or make mistakes. The quality of these systems depends on the data they are trained on—and data often reflects societal biases.

By teaching young people to question the design, purpose, and outputs of AI, we empower them to uncover hidden biases and errors. Who created this system? What assumptions were made? Was the AI tested for fairness across different groups? These questions form the foundation of ethical technology use and development.

This approach ensures the next generation won’t blindly trust AI but will engage with it thoughtfully and responsibly.

Questioning AI: A Healthy Dose of Scepticism

Just because something comes from AI doesn’t mean it’s accurate. AI outputs are only as reliable as the data and programming behind them. Teaching young people to approach AI with curiosity and scepticism ensures they won’t take its conclusions at face value.

For example: What biases might exist in an AI-generated recommendation? Could the system prioritise efficiency over fairness? This kind of questioning fosters a mindset that actively seeks fairness and equity, even in automated systems.

This isn’t about fostering distrust—it’s about encouraging intelligence and responsibility. By embracing scepticism, we cultivate users and leaders who hold AI to higher standards.

Creating a Collaborative Ecosystem

This cultural shift requires collaboration across society. Schools can’t bear this responsibility alone. Teachers, parents, policymakers, and tech companies all have critical roles to play:

* Teachers need training and resources to confidently discuss AI in classrooms.

* Parents can encourage curiosity and open conversations about technology at home.

* Policymakers must integrate AI literacy into the curriculum, ensuring it reaches every student.

* Tech companies must prioritise transparency, fairness, and accessibility in the tools they create.

When these stakeholders work together, we’ll create a generation of learners who not only understand AI but are equipped to use it ethically and effectively.

Ethical Leaders for a Responsible AI Future

AI isn’t just reshaping industries; it’s redefining leadership. The leaders of tomorrow must not only understand how AI works but also have the judgement to deploy it ethically. AI literacy is much more than a technical skill—it’s a mindset that values critical thinking, fairness, and innovation with integrity.

By combining AI literacy with accountability and scepticism, we nurture leaders who will challenge systems that fall short of ethical standards. These individuals won’t accept the status quo. They’ll demand AI that prioritises humanity over profit, fairness over convenience, and progress over complacency.

AI is here to stay, and how we choose to engage with it will shape our world. By embedding critical thinking and the principles of “Distrust by Design” into education, we’re preparing the next generation to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead.

This isn’t just about technology—it’s about humanity. It’s about ensuring that AI serves society in the best way possible. And it starts with teaching young people to think for themselves.

As they grow up questioning and scrutinising AI, they’ll ensure its future is guided by fairness, accountability, and integrity. We’re not just preparing them for an AI-driven world; we’re preparing them to lead it—and to shape it into a world worth living in.

(Ivana Bartoletti, Global Chief Privacy & AI Governance Officer, Wipro.)

Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.