Glossary
AI Literacy
The knowledge and skills people need to understand, question and use AI systems in their roles as workers, citizens and consumers.
Last reviewed 2026-08-22
In plain language
AI literacy appears in education policy, workplace training and some legal texts that require providers or deployers to promote understanding of AI. It is broader than coding. It includes recognizing automated decisions, knowing rights of redress, and spotting limitations such as bias or fabrication. Literacy efforts can be empowering or can shift responsibility onto individuals for harms they cannot control.
Why it matters for AI governance
Democratic participation in AI policy depends on more than expert communities. Literacy is a public-interest complement to regulation, not a replacement.