1. AI at CPS /
  2. Overview

Our Commitment to AI Literacy

CPS commits to developing opportunities for staff, students and community to develop AI literacy. Educators and staff can engage in the AI Badge Pathway or Professional Learning Communities. Details for these can be found in the Professional Development section of this Guidebook. For students, there is AI literacy and broader digital and media literacy curriculum embedded in Skyline, the District’s universal PreK-12 high-quality curriculum. CPS is actively working on Pathways for families and other community stakeholders.

The Pillars of AI Literacy

  • AI Foundational Knowledge Icon

    Foundational Knowledge

    Understanding core AI concepts, terminology, and different types of AI technologies.

  • AI Practical Application Icon

    Practical Application

    Developing the skills to effectively and responsibly use AI tools, including how to evaluate and integrate them into instructional practice and other workflows.

  • AI Ethical Awareness Icon

    Ethical Awareness

    Recognizing the ethical considerations including bias, fairness, transparency, data privacy, and AI’s impact on society.

  • AI Critical Thinking Icon

    Critical Thinking

    Developing the ability to critically identify when to use AI, analyze its output, evaluate its reliability, understand its limitations, and mitigate potential risks.

  • AI Future Oriented Icon

    Future-Oriented Perspective

    Understanding the evolving nature of AI and its potential to shape the future of education and society by developing a growth mindset and a willingness to adapt.

Why does AI Literacy Matter?

Educational Transformation

The rapid introduction of GenAI tools into classrooms presents both opportunities and challenges. To enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for their future, students must develop critical thinking and digital literacy skills to effectively evaluate and utilize AI-generated content, while teachers need to adapt their pedagogical approaches to purposefully integrate AI literacy and use into their lessons.

Career Readiness

AI is causing significant changes in the job market, making AI literacy an essential skill for the current and future workforce. Traditional job roles are increasingly being transformed by the integration of GenAI tools and technologies. This shift necessitates that all stakeholders develop their AI literacy to thrive in their future careers.

Digital Citizenship

AI is increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, impacting our decisions in subtle and overt ways. It is essential to cultivate information literacy that encompasses AI, enabling us to critically evaluate and utilize AI-generated content. Ethical considerations must guide our use of AI tools, ensuring they are used responsibly and for the betterment of society. Understanding the broader community impact of AI technologies allows us to anticipate and address potential consequences, fostering a just and equitable digital future.

Educational Equity

AI has the potential to both alleviate and exacerbate existing educational inequities. Access to AI tools and training must be universal, ensuring all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, background, or location, have the opportunity to develop crucial AI literacy skills. Thoughtful implementation of AI in education can personalize learning and support diverse learning needs, but we must proactively mitigate biases embedded in algorithms and datasets to avoid perpetuating or amplifying systemic inequalities.