AI literacy emphasized for students and children worldwide

A 2026 academic paper by Rachid Ait Maalem Lahcen of the University of Central Florida proposes using generative AI as a scaffold rather than a substitute for human reasoning in student learning. The instructional strategy stresses activities such as step‑checking, error analysis and dual‑method verification to keep students actively engaged in interpretation and justification.

In a separate commentary, Evans Edeha, CEO of Safi Education Limited, argues that AI literacy should be regarded as essential as reading and writing. He notes UNESCO’s 2023 guidance on generative AI in education, which calls for regulatory guardrails and critical competencies for students. Edeha also cites the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, which projects rapid growth in demand for AI and digital skills, and warns that lack of AI literacy could expose children to privacy risks, deep‑fakes and misinformation.

Both pieces underscore the emerging consensus that early exposure to responsible AI use is key to preparing learners for a future where intelligent systems are integrated into education, work and daily life.