Evaluating an artificial intelligence literacy programme for developing university students’ conceptual understanding, literacy, empowerment and ethical awareness

Emerging research is highlighting the importance of fostering artificial intelligence (AI) literacy among educated citizens of diverse academic backgrounds. However, what to include in such literacy programmes and how to teach literacy is still under-explored. To fill this gap, this study designed and evaluated an AI literacy programme based on a multi-dimensional conceptual framework, which developed participants’ conceptual understanding, literacy, empowerment and ethical awareness. It emphasised conceptual building, highlighted project work in application development and initiated teaching ethics through application development. Thirty-six university students with diverse academic backgrounds joined and completed this programme, which included 7 hours on machine learning, 9 hours on deep learning and 14 hours on application development. Together with the project work, the results of the tests, surveys and reflective writings completed before and after these courses indicate that the programme successfully enhanced participants’ conceptual understanding, literacy, empowerment and ethical awareness. The programme will be extended to include more participants, such as senior secondary school students and the general public. This study initiates a pathway to lower the barrier to entry for AI literacy and addresses a public need.