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Information and Digital Literacies GLO: AI literacy: Competencies

Building competency and capability in using AI responsibly

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become increasingly integrated into academic, professional, and everyday contexts, students need the ability to engage with these technologies critically, confidently, and ethically.

This section outlines progressive levels of AI literacy competency, helping educators scaffold student learning and align expectations with skill development over time. These competencies support students not just in using AI tools, but in understanding their functions, evaluating outputs, and applying them with integrity.

The competencies are grouped into six key areas:

  1. Understanding AI concepts
    Recognising what AI is, how generative AI tools work, and their strengths and limitations.
  2. Knowing where and when to use AI
    Identifying appropriate and inappropriate contexts for AI use in academic and professional settings.
  3. Using AI tools effectively
    Developing practical skills in prompting, interacting with, and refining outputs from generative AI tools.
  4. Evaluating AI outputs
    Critically assessing AI-generated content for accuracy, bias, relevance, and alignment with task requirements.
  5. Acknowledging and referencing AI
    Transparently disclosing AI use and citing AI-generated content appropriately according to academic conventions.
  6. Ethical and responsible use
    Applying ethical standards, considering the social impact of AI, and making informed, responsible decisions about its use.

These competencies align with the Information and Digital Literacies GLO and support the development of digitally fluent, ethically grounded graduates equipped for a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

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Competency levels in AI

Competency Beginner Developing Proficient
Understanding AI concepts Can define basic AI concepts; recognises fundamental terms. Explains core principles and discusses common applications. Analyses complex AI systems and explains underlying algorithms and impacts.
Where to use AI Identifies basic scenarios where AI might be appropriate. Selects contexts for AI application, considering simple criteria. Evaluates organisational goals to identify optimal areas for diverse AI integration.
Using AI tools Uses guided, user-friendly AI tools with support. Operates selected AI tools independently for common tasks. Leverages multiple, advanced AI tools to solve complex challenges.
Evaluating outputs Recognises if an AI tool output is clearly incorrect or correct. Assesses strengths and obvious limitations of AI results. Critically evaluates AI outputs, identifying subtle errors and improvement areas.
Acknowledging & referencing use Mentions the use of AI in output creation. Cites sources of AI assistance in work appropriately. Rigorously documents AI use, including model details and limitations.
Ethical & responsible use Follows guidance for responsible AI use. Discusses basic ethical risks and applies simple mitigation strategies. Anticipates, analyses, and addresses potential ethical challenges proactively.
Subjects: Teaching Support

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