Canada Urgently needs an AI Literacy Strategy

Kate Arthur is the author of Am I Literate? Redefining Literacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and co-founder of Comz Global.

Literacy has always been the heart of human connection. It shapes how we communicate, engage with each other, and understand the world. It is more than reading and writing—it is the ability to interpret, communicate, and navigate an ever-expanding flow of information. In our fast-changing world, this ability has never been more vital. We are literate when we have access to data, transform it into knowledge, and respond meaningfully all within the material and social frameworks that enable connection.

Canada urgently needs a strong AI literacy education strategy, anchored in values and ethics, to prepare all citizens for meaningful and responsible participation in an AI-driven world.

Throughout history, literacy has been the foundation of societal progress. During the First and Second Industrial Revolutions, basic literacy and numeracy empowered individuals to adapt, participate in democracy, and drive technological growth. When literacy expanded, so too did opportunity.

The Third Industrial Revolution introduced the foundation of the digital world, woven together with lines of code, requiring new skills: computational thinking, coding, and digital collaboration. Literacy evolved because society demanded it.

Today, in the Fourth Industrial Revolution—shaped by AI, robotics, and data—our communications extend beyond human-to-human. Understanding data, algorithms, ethics, and machine interactions is now essential. Navigating both the physical and digital worlds with confidence is no longer optional.

Looking ahead, as we move into the Fifth Industrial Revolution, our literacy skills will be challenged. AI has evolved from a tool that automates and augments human tasks to a system capable of autonomous decision-making. Emerging technologies such as AI agents, quantum computing, and artificial general intelligence will require us to strengthen human skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning. Literacy will demand the ability to move across cultures, disciplines, and human-machine divides.

This is why AI literacy is no longer a luxury for a few; it is a necessity for all. Our ability to adapt, tell our stories, participate in communities, and ensure technology serves humanity depends on it. Literacy must evolve not just to keep pace with innovation, but to guide it towards fairness, inclusion, and shared prosperity.

We have a collective responsibility to ensure everyone has access to these new forms of literacy. Bridging divides, democratising power, and empowering individuals to thrive must be at the centre of our efforts. Literacy remains the foundation of progress—and it must expand to ensure no one is left behind.

And if we do not act with urgency—embedding AI literacy into lifelong learning—Canadians are at risk of falling behind. Around the world, countries are moving quickly to integrate AI literacy into education systems, from classrooms to workplaces. History reminds us that expanding literacy has always been critical at times of societal transformation. We stand at a similar crossroads today.

Recent developments highlight the urgency:

• United States, April 23, 2025: Trump signs Executive Order for AI Literacy and Education in K–12 Schools
  A national strategy prioritises AI literacy from early education through postsecondary training. Professional development for educators, industry partnerships, and lifelong learning initiatives aim to create a resilient, innovative workforce.

• China, April 8, 2025: AI Education Made Mandatory in Schools
  The Chinese Ministry of Education mandates AI education across primary and secondary schools, emphasising moral education, critical thinking, and equitable access. The plan includes AI labs, teacher training, and bridging the urban-rural divide through online education.

• European Union, February 5, 2025: AI Literacy Mandated by Law
  The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act requires companies to ensure that employees and users of AI systems are properly educated, considering technical knowledge, context of use, and societal impact.

Canada must act decisively and invest wisely. We must build partnerships with like-minded countries to collaborate together. We cannot shy away from supporting Canadians, in particular our youth, to ensure they have access to the skills development opportunities needed to remain competitive globally. A bold, inclusive AI literacy strategy will help ensure we not only keep pace with AI innovation but lead with responsible AI—anchored in values and ethics—by empowering citizens with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to shape a fair and inclusive world.