AI literacy

AI literacy is the set of knowledge, skills, and judgment a person needs to understand, use, and evaluate artificial intelligence safely, effectively, and responsibly. Knowing what AI is and how it works at a basic level. AI systems ie chatbots and image generators learn patterns from large amounts of data, that they produce predictions rather than "knowing" things, and that they can be wrong, biased, or confidently mistaken.

Also covers AI tools, writing clear prompts, checking outputs against reliable sources, and recognizing when AI is or isn't the right tool for a task. It extends to critical thinking: spotting AI-generated or manipulated content, understanding how personal data is collected and used, recognizing that AI can reflect the biases in its training data, and thinking about the ethical questions AI raises, like honesty in schoolwork, privacy, and fairness.

For kids and teens, AI literacy also means knowing that AI is not a person or a friend. It means keeping personal information private, asking a trusted adult when something feels wrong, and using AI to support their own thinking and creativity rather than replace it.

Children will meet generative tools in class, in games, and in group chats whether or not a district has finished its policy. Literacy is what they carry from one app to the next. A student who can ask where a claim came from is safer than a student who only knows which button to press.

Educators need the same skill. A policy that says AI is forbidden is hard to enforce and easy to ignore. A policy that says when AI is allowed, what must be cited, and how student data is handled gives teachers something they can teach. Parents can ask to see that policy and can mirror the same rules at home.

HeyOtto gives kids and teens a safe place to learn AI by using it. Users can explore what AI can do, ask questions, and create in an environment made for them.

AI literacy grows through guided practice. On HeyOtto, kids learn to write clear prompts, think about the answers they get, and see that AI can make mistakes. That builds the habit of checking and questioning rather than accepting everything at face value. Safety guardrails help kids learn good digital habits, like keeping personal information private and turning to a trusted adult when something doesn't feel right.

HeyOtto also supports the adults in a child's life. Parents and schools can guide how kids use AI, and accounts can be personalized to reflect a family or school's values and mission. AI literacy fits into what students are already learning. The goal is to help kids use AI to strengthen their own thinking and creativity, not replace it.