Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we live, learn, and work. For example, when ChatGPT, a large language model created by OpenAI, appeared in 2022, it was a turning point. Suddenly, a machine could hold a conversation, summarize ideas, and generate text that sounds human. Yet AI has been with us for years, quietly shaping our lives through search engines, facial recognition, translation tools, and mobile apps.
One major difference today is the scale. AI is no longer hidden in the background. It is part of daily life, and it influences how we access information, make decisions, and express ourselves. This shift raises an important question: what does AI mean for literacy and for the people who teach, support, and champion it?
Adult literacy in Canada
Literacy is essential to social equity and economic resilience. Being able to read, write, and work with numbers allows people to make important decisions and enjoy modern life. However, according to data from Statistics Canada, one in five working-age adults struggles with basic literacy. These include parents supporting their children’s education, workers reading safety instructions, and voters making decisions. While Canada performs above the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average, the literacy gap has widened over the past decade.
Digital literacy and the emergence of AI
Today, digital literacy is a basic life skill. It helps us use technology safely, question online content, and understand how information moves through systems.
Many people use smartphones and computers every day, but access to technology and the skills to use it are not equal. Barriers such as unreliable internet connections and a lack of training create a digital divide that mirrors other social and economic inequalities. Closing that gap requires investment.
AI literacy involves understanding what it is, how it works, and how to use it responsibly. A combination of digital and AI literacy and strong foundational skills empower people to think ethically and critically rather than simply consume information. They help bridge the gap between communities that are fully connected and those that are not. Investments should prioritize regions where these inequalities are most pronounced, including rural areas, Northern communities, and newcomer populations in urban centres.
The benefits of AI for literacy learners
AI can make learning more personal and accessible by adapting to each learner’s pace, providing feedback, and translating materials. Teachers, practitioners, and community educators can use AI to identify learners who need extra help and handle administrative tasks to free up valuable time for building relationships, supporting learners, and creating safe learning environments. But people still need to know how to read with understanding, write with intention, and solve problems confidently
The risks of AI literacy learners
Despite its potential, AI comes with risks. Because it learns from existing data, it can reproduce the biases that exist across society. Hiring software, for instance, may exclude candidates with disabilities or favour certain demographic groups. Automated marking tools can misinterpret the writing of students learning English as an additional language, grading them unfairly.
AI systems also collect enormous amounts of personal data. When used without care, they can expose private information or influence opinions without users realizing it. This undermines trust, which is the foundation of every effective learning relationship.
Another concern is overdependence. When we rely too heavily on AI to think, write, or make decisions, we risk losing curiosity and critical thought. Yet few schools or organizations have clear policies to guide the ethical use of AI. Many educators are learning as they go, trying to balance innovation with caution.
Our shared responsibilities for safe digital literacy
The OECD predicts that, within a few years, AI will be able to solve adult literacy and numeracy tests. That does not mean people’s skills will matter less; It means they will matter more. Humans must have strong skills to interpret, question, and judge AI’s output. Canada’s proposed Digital Charter Implementation Act, Bill C-27, is a step toward setting national standards for privacy, data protection, and the responsible use of AI. This is encouraging, but policy alone is not enough. Governments, employers, educators, and nonprofits need to work together to ensure that everyone has the skills and support to participate in this new reality.
Three principles to move forward with AI
As AI becomes part of everyday life, three principles must guide how we move forward.
- We must protect trust. Literacy and community organizations hold sensitive information about learners, volunteers, and partners. Safeguarding data is a matter of integrity and respect.
- We must let ethics lead. Innovation has value only when it serves people. Every decision about technology should reinforce fairness, dignity, and inclusion.
- We must prioritize equity and access. AI must be a bridge that connects people, not a wall that divides them.
Conclusion
Literacy helps people make decisions that can improve their lives and the world. If used thoughtfully and ethically, AI can support that process. However, it cannot replace human understanding or connection. While government policy is necessary to protect privacy and personal security, we share responsibility for putting people first and ensuring they are equipped to use this new technology. To build a more inclusive future, we must help people read both the world and the algorithms that shape it.
