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For everyone to benefit from the rapid advances in AI, we need to bridge the AI literacy gap. Here are the policy actions leaders can take to address this new digital divide.

Author:

Susan Gonzales, former tech exec and founder & CEO of AIandYou, a U.S.-based nonprofit educating marginalized communities about artificial intelligence. Member of the U.S. National AI Advisory Committee and National Institute of Science (NIST) AI Safety Consortium

Preparing for the Future

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have widened the digital divide, creating what is now known as the AI divide. This divide represents the unequal access, benefits, and opportunities in AI technology across various regions, communities, and socioeconomic groups. The most marginalized communities—women, people of color, disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ persons, and others—bear the brunt of this divide. To bridge this gap, embracing and promoting AI literacy is paramount. Understanding the basics of AI is essential for everyone to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.

The Challenge of Fear and Curiosity

Fear is a significant barrier to AI literacy. Many people are apprehensive about AI, as evidenced by a recent survey across 31 countries, in which nearly equal numbers of adults reported being nervous (52%) and excited (54%) about AI products and services. This fear often overshadows the natural curiosity and excitement that new technologies typically generate. To overcome this challenge, it is crucial to provide accessible and relatable AI education that addresses these fears and stimulates curiosity.
 

The Impact on Marginalized Communities

Studies indicate that AI's increasing prevalence differs from the same levels of understanding and awareness, particularly in underrepresented groups. Fear of AI-biased outcomes and negative impacts of AI are stifling the interest in understanding how to use the technology to improve lives. This gap is evident in the workforce, where women are more likely to be exposed to AI-related job changes yet face a significant skills gap compared to men. Recently, the office of the Governor of California in the U.S. held focus groups on AI in the community and asked, “Are you concerned AI will impact your job?” The reply: “I don’t know, should I be?” This response reflects the problem. Few people understand the impact of AI on everyday life. This disparity underscores the urgent need for targeted AI literacy programs to support these vulnerable groups.

The Role of Global Leaders

Global leaders have a critical role in promoting and encouraging AI literacy, and we need them to spearhead efforts to develop and implement local educational programs. Programs tailored to local communities can help them prepare for the opportunities and changes coming with AI. The key is teaching AI basics to create a foundation of understanding, decreasing fear, and increasing curiosity, as noted in the diagram above. Here are vital actions leaders can take:

1. Resource Allocation: Identify and allocate resources to local, trusted nonprofits and educational institutions. These organizations can deliver AI literacy programs tailored to their communities' specific needs and contexts.
2. Local Engagement: Encourage community-driven initiatives that promote AI literacy. Trusted local sources are more effective in dispelling fears and building understanding than impersonal online resources. Technology product-focused online AI literacy may prove ineffective due to a lack of trust. Community-driven AI literacy initiatives are critical.
3. Inclusive Education: Ensure that AI literacy programs are inclusive and accessible to all, particularly marginalized groups. This includes creating materials in multiple languages and formats to accommodate diverse learning needs.
4. Collaborative Efforts: Create partnerships between governments, tech companies, educational institutions, and community organizations. Collaborative efforts can amplify the reach and impact of AI literacy programs.
5. Continuous Learning: Promote a culture of constant learning and adaptation, beginning with AI basics. As AI technology evolves, so should the educational programs to keep communities informed and prepared for the future.

Advancing AI literacy globally is a vital step towards closing the digital divide. It involves equipping individuals with essential AI skills, such as understanding how to find a job using AI, how to use Generative AI responsibly and effectively when writing an essay, how to manage a small business with new AI tools, and AI risks to avoid.

Call to Action

• Leaders and policymakers: Develop comprehensive strategies to support AI literacy at the local level.
• Educational institutions and nonprofits: Create and disseminate accessible AI literacy programs tailored to community needs.
• Tech companies: Partner with community organizations to provide resources and expertise for easy AI education driven by the community.
• Communities: Actively learn about AI and advocate for resources to support local AI literacy initiatives.

By working together, we can bridge the AI divide and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in an AI-driven world. Have you talked about AI literacy for the community with your leadership?

The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of UNESCO. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the article do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries.

URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/ai-literacy-and-new-digital-divide-global-call-action