AI Literacy: A pathway to economic competitiveness and professional excellence

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reform the way we live, work, and interact, widespread misunderstandings and ethical concerns about its adoption have continued to emerge, posing significant challenges. A Nigerian scholar, Development Enthusiast and Graduate Teaching Associate at the University of Central Florida (UCF), Chizorom Ebosie Okoronkwo, is at the forefront of this critical discourse, centering on the intersection between human-machine communication and organizational communication, envisioning a future where AI literacy ensures economic competitiveness, ethical governance, and professional competence.

Through his in-depth research, Okoronkwo has highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between AI innovation and public understanding. He believes that AI has the ability to improve organisational performance and wants more educators, professionals, and students need to be equipped with sufficient skills to understand and utilize AI responsibly.

​Okoronkwo stated that there is a critical gap in AI knowledge, noting that a lot of individuals have many misconceptions about it. He wants more educators to prioritize AI literacy in their curricula to ensure that the public is properly equipped to navigate an AI-driven world.

“Many people view AI as a task performance tool, misunderstanding its narrow, task-specific nature, with limited awareness of how biases in data influence AI systems. There is a need to introduce AI literacy as early as primary school to help students understand its capabilities and limitations. Institutions like the University of Central Florida are already integrating AI into their curriculum, setting an example for broader adoption,” he said.

He believes that when more professionals have a proper understanding of the limitless possibilities of AI technology, they are better equipped to address societal challenges and advocate for ethical use of AI.

“Beyond technical know-how, AI literacy helps users to interact confidently with AI technologies, build risk awareness to ensure AI systems are used ethically and safely and it equips society to engage in governance discussion around AI policies, ethics and regulations. It also ensures professionals are prepared to integrate AI into their industries, preventing a widening digital divide, and helps individuals navigate AI-driven ecosystems, detect disinformation, and identify deepfakes” added Okoronkwo.

Okoronkwo highlighted actionable steps that can be taken to aid AI literacy effort. He has called for hands-on collaboration from stakeholders and top players in the tech industry to enlighten the public on ways to ethically apply Artificial Intelligence in their different circles.

“We can improve AI literacy by offering affordable certification programs to upskill the workforce, collaborating with tech companies to educate consumers about AI’s capabilities and ethical implications, and supporting legislation like the AI Literacy Act to provide funding for AI education,” he noted.

Okoronkwo’s vision for AI literacy aims to bridge knowledge gaps and equip society with the tools to harness AI’s potential. “By fostering cross-sector collaboration, promoting education, and conducting applied research, we can ensure that AI becomes a force for good—empowering individuals, advancing industries, and transforming societies,”

AI literacy is not just a technical necessity but an ethical one. By addressing issues such as bias, privacy, and societal impacts, AI literacy initiatives can help build a future where AI serves humanity equitably and responsibly.