OECD publishes socio-technical approach to AI literacy

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a guide to AI literacy, defining it as a crucial cornerstone of organisational readiness that empowers individuals to use AI tools effectively and ethically. These levels of AI literacy are essential, given that 81% of hiring managers view AI-related skills as a priority and among the most sought-after capabilities in 2025. Looking forward to 2030, the OECD cites World Economic Forum research indicating that 40% of employers anticipate reducing headcount. The employees who remain will be those who can use AI tools effectively.  

The guide calls for a socio-technical approach to AI literacy, arguing that traditional training that focuses solely on either technical programming and machine learning skills or on ethical implications is insufficient. Instead, an integrated approach recognises that AI’s risks and benefits stem from both the technical design and the social context in which the systems are deployed, including organisational practices and workplace culture. Integrating these two facets is crucial for cross-functional collaboration.

Such a perspective helps users understand that AI chatbots, for instance, reflect the biases and dominant conventions of their training data, making their outputs less reliable for specialised expertise or original thinking.

The guide outlines four core dimensions of AI literacy:

• Understand AI: Knowledge of how AI works, how to operate common tools, and awareness of its development.
• Critical thinking and evaluation: The ability to discern biases, apply logical reasoning, and evaluate AI-generated content.
• Responsible AI use: Understanding the ethical risks and principles (such as privacy, fairness, and security) that guide appropriate deployment.
• Human-in-the-loop: Recognising the importance of human oversight, agency, and accountability, ensuring human judgment remains central to AI-assisted processes.

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