‘AI literacy’ is trending in schools. Here’s why.

Students use AI chatbots to explore career pathways or hone their writing skills at North Star Academy Washington Park High School in Newark, New Jersey, on Feb 3, 2026. AI companies are urging teachers to prepare students for an 'AI-driven future'. What that means varies from school to school. — Juan Arredondo/The New York Times

Computer literacy. Internet literacy. Social media literacy. Mobile literacy. Virtual reality literacy.

Every few years, the tech industry introduces a new kind of product, then prods schools to teach millions of students how to use it.