School librarians developing AI literacy for an AI-driven future: leveraging the AI Citizenship Framework with scope and sequence
Authors: Hossain Zakir 
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the artificial intelligence (AI) Citizenship Framework, a model that equips teachers and school library professionals with the tools to develop AI literacy and citizenship in students. As AI becomes increasingly prevalent, it is essential to prepare students for an AI-driven future. The framework aims to foster foundational knowledge of AI, critical thinking and ethical decision-making, empowering students to engage responsibly with AI technologies. By providing a structured approach to AI literacy, the framework helps educators integrate AI concepts into their lessons, ensuring students develop the skills needed to navigate and contribute to an AI-driven society.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a theoretical framework, developed from the author’s experience as an information and digital literacy coach and teacher librarian across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The AI Citizenship Framework was created without following specific empirical methodologies, drawing instead on practical insights and educational needs observed in diverse contexts. It outlines a scope and sequence for integrating AI literacy into school curricula. The framework’s components build on existing pedagogical practices while emphasising critical, ethical and responsible AI engagement. By providing a structure for AI education, it serves as a practical resource for school librarians and educators.

Findings

While no empirical data was collected for this theoretical paper, the AI Citizenship Framework offers a structured approach for school librarians and educators to introduce and develop AI literacy. It has the potential to influence AI education by fostering critical and ethical awareness among students, empowering them to participate responsibly in an AI-driven world. The framework’s practical application can be expanded beyond school librarians to include classroom teachers, offering a comprehensive model adaptable to various educational settings. Its real-world implementation could enhance students’ readiness to engage with AI technologies, providing long-term benefits for both educational institutions and the broader society.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of the AI Citizenship Framework is that it has not yet been empirically validated. Future research could focus on testing its practical effectiveness in real-world settings, offering insights that may inform refinements and adaptations to better support school librarians and educators in fostering AI literacy and AI citizenship.

Practical implications

The practical implication of the AI Citizenship Framework is its application in educational settings to equip students with AI literacy and responsible citizenship skills. School library professionals and teachers can use the framework to integrate AI concepts into curricula, fostering critical thinking, ethical understanding and informed decision-making about AI technologies. The framework provides ready-to-use curriculum plans, enabling educators to prepare students for an AI-driven world. Its adaptability also allows classroom teachers to lead AI literacy initiatives, making it a versatile tool for embedding AI education across subjects and promoting responsible use and engagement with AI technologies in real-world contexts.

Originality/value

The originality and value of the AI Citizenship Framework lie in its approach to integrate AI literacy into educational contexts, specifically tailored for teacher librarians and school librarians. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first framework that comprehensively addresses the need for AI literacy from an ethical, critical and societal perspective, while also promoting active participation and leadership in AI governance. The framework equips educators with practical tools and curriculum plans, fostering responsible AI use and engagement. Its adaptable structure ensures it can be implemented by classroom teachers as well, adding significant value to AI education across disciplines and age groups.