AI Literacy as a Core Future Skill: A Systematic Literature Review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54536/ajdsai.v2i2.7782

Keywords:

AI Literacy, Education, Future Skills, Generative Ai, Systematic Literature Review, Workforce Readiness

Abstract

This systematic literature review critically examines the construct of artificial intelligence (AI) literacy as a foundational competency for the 21st-century workforce and educational landscape. As generative AI becomes inextricably linked with global economic and societal operations, the demand for sophisticated human-AI interaction frameworks has surged. Synthesizing contemporary peer-reviewed studies, international policy frameworks, and empirical data from 2020 to 2026, this review identifies the multidimensional nature of AI literacy, encompassing cognitive understanding, practical competency, and rigorous ethical evaluation. The findings highlight the critical role of AI literacy in fostering self-regulated learning in educational settings and boosting creative self-efficacy and productivity in the workforce. Furthermore, the study addresses significant systemic barriers, including the digital divide and the ethical imperatives to mitigate algorithmic bias and safeguard data privacy. Ultimately, this review proposes that AI literacy is no longer an isolated technical skill but a mandatory pillar of modern civic and professional competence, demanding immediate, equitable integration into global educational curricula and organizational training paradigms.

Author Biography

  • Cyrus D. Santiago, Multidisciplinary Digital Solutions Professional, Philippines

    I’m a multidisciplinary digital professional with a foundation in software development and a proven ability to adapt to evolving technologies since 2008. I specialize in VB.Net, C#, and Python, with hands-on experience building scalable applications, user-focused websites, and efficient backend systems. I also design and manage databases using MS SQL and MySQL, ensuring performance, reliability, and data integrity. Beyond engineering, I bring over a decade of experience in digital marketing. My expertise includes SEO, social media marketing, and email campaigns, where I focus on driving organic growth, improving visibility, and executing data-driven inbound and outbound strategies. I also work as a professional researcher, applying analytical thinking and structured problem-solving across technical and business domains. Since 2021, I’ve expanded into AI, integrating tools like ChatGPT and modern AI workflows to automate processes, enhance content creation, and improve productivity. My background in design and digital art strengthens my ability to create intuitive, visually engaging user experiences. Core Skills: • Software Development: VB.Net, C#, Python • Web Development and UI/UX • Database Management: MS SQL, MySQL • SEO and Digital Marketing Strategy • Social Media and Email Marketing • AI Tools and Workflow Automation • Research and Data Analysis I operate at the intersection of technology, marketing, and research, delivering solutions that are not only functional but aligned with business growth and strategy.

References

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Casal-Otero, L., Catala, A., Fernández-Morante, C., Taboada, M., Cebreiro, B., & Barro, S. (2023). AI literacy in K-12: A systematic literature review. International Journal of STEM Education, 10, Article 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00418-7

Chiu, T. K. F. (2025). AI literacy and competency: Definitions, frameworks, development and future research directions. Interactive Learning Environments, 33(5), 3225–3229. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2025.2514372

Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. (2026). AI index report 2026. Stanford University. https://hai.stanford.edu/assets/files/ai_index_report_2026.pdf

Long, D., & Magerko, B. (2020). What is AI literacy? Competencies and design considerations. Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1145/3313831.3376727

Ng, D. T. K., Leung, J. K. L., Chu, S. K. W., & Qiao, M. S. (2021). Conceptualizing AI literacy: An exploratory review. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 2, Article 100041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2021.100040

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development & European Commission. (2025). Empowering learners for the age of AI: An AI literacy framework for primary and secondary education [Review draft]. https://ailiteracyframework.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AILitFramework_ReviewDraft.pdf

Miao, F., Shiohira, K., & Lao, N. (2024). AI competency framework for students. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/ai-competency-framework-students

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U.S. Department of Labor. (2025). Artificial intelligence literacy framework (TEN 07-25). https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/TEN/2025/TEN%2007-25/TEN%2007-25%20%28complete%20document%29.pdf

Liu, X., Zhang, L., & Wei, X. (2025). Generative artificial intelligence literacy: Scale development and its effect on job performance. Behavioral Sciences, 15(6), 811. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/6/811

Lo, L. S. (2025). AI literacy: A guide for academic libraries. College & Research Libraries News, 86(3), 120. https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.86.3.120

European Commission. (2025, May). Empowering learners for the age of AI: Launch of the draft AI literacy framework and stakeholder consultations. https://education.ec.europa.eu/event/empowering-learners-for-the-age-of-ai-launch-of-the-draft-ai-literacy-framework-and-stakeholder-consultations

Intizar, M. S., & Siddique, A. (2026). Artificial intelligence in strategic decision-making: From automation to augmentation. American Journal of Applied Research and AI, 1(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajarai.v1i1.7032

Alipasa, C. D. L. (2026). Trust and ethics for artificial intelligence in authentic education. American Journal of Applied Research and AI, 1(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajarai.v1i1.6617

AJDSAI, E-Palli publishers

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Published

2026-08-10

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): American Journal of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Section

Review Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Cyrus D. Santiago

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Santiago, C. D. . (2026). AI Literacy as a Core Future Skill: A Systematic Literature Review. American Journal of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, 2(2), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajdsai.v2i2.7782

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