Build Your AI Literacy

Develop your understanding and confidence in using GenAI responsibly in education

As Generative AI (GenAI) increasingly shapes discussions about education, it is important that educators develop their own AI literacy. This involves understanding the tools you are working with, recognizing their limitations, and making informed decisions about how GenAI can be used responsibly in teaching, assessment, or course design.

Using GenAI without sufficient understanding can lead to issues such as overreliance on AI tools, reduced critical engagement, or uneven student outcomes. By contrast, informed and intentional use can support deeper learning, free up time for core concepts, and strengthen students' self-efficacy and self-regulated learning.

What is AI Literacy?

It's difficult to define AI literacy exhaustively, because the specific skills that determine responsible use can depend on the discipline you work in. However, two relevant starting points are:

VU-UvA Taskforce Definition

AI literacy is subdivided into three parts:

  • •What – knowledge & insight
  • •How – understand & apply
  • •Why – ethics & critical view

Npuls AI-GO Framework

AI literacy as the interplay of:

  • •Knowledge of AI concepts and applications
  • •Skills to apply AI-related abilities
  • •Attitudes toward AI's societal role
  • •Ethical awareness as foundation

How to Build Your AI Literacy

Informing Yourself

A good first step is to understand your own level of AI literacy. The AIMES scan can give insight into how you currently use GenAI and point you toward resources that help you develop your skills further.

You can also explore the AI Literacy for Teachers e-learning module, which introduces the fundamentals of Generative AI in a higher education context.

Understanding UvA Restrictions

Make sure you are familiar with the UvA and your faculty's policies on GenAI use. Key restrictions include:

  • •Data Protection: Do not enter sensitive student data into commercial AI tools
  • •Assignments: When requiring GenAI use, students must use UvA AI Chat
  • •Grading: Teachers must not grade students' work using GenAI
  • •Transparency: All GenAI-generated content must be labeled as such
  • •Plagiarism Detection: Do not rely on AI-detection tools (they are not reliable)

For extended guidelines, refer to the UvA Policy Framework on GenAI in Education, Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, EU AI Act, and GDPR.

How Do Students Use GenAI?

Students often use GenAI in ways that are not visible to teachers. Understanding common patterns of student use is an important part of your AI literacy. Common uses include:

  • •Getting explanations for complex topics
  • •Brainstorming research questions
  • •Summarizing academic texts
  • •Generating text for assignments
  • •Creating graphs or charts
  • •Generating code snippets
  • •Improving writing style
  • •Checking grammar

Some of these uses can support learning when used intentionally, while others can unintentionally bypass essential learning steps. Understanding how students typically use GenAI allows teachers to set clearer expectations and design learning activities that reduce unproductive reliance on AI.

Frameworks for AI Literacy

If you would like to refer to a framework to help guide a more comprehensive approach to AI Literacy, two frameworks can be helpful:

UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Teachers

Outlines the knowledge, skills and values educators need to use AI safely and effectively. It defines five dimensions: human-centered mindset, ethics of AI, AI foundations and applications, AI pedagogy, and AI for professional development. Each dimension is described across three progression levels (Acquire, Deepen, Create).

Think of the UNESCO Framework as a ladder: structured, linear, and universally applicable.

NPuls AI GO Framework

Provides an evidence-informed overview of what AI literacy means in educational contexts. Based on an umbrella review of recent research and input from educators, it describes AI literacy as the interaction of knowledge, skills, attitudes and ethical awareness.

Think of the AI-GO Framework as a Compass: it ensures you are oriented correctly by balancing Knowledge, Skills, Ethics, and Attitude without prescribing a single vertical path.

Next Steps

Building your own AI literacy is the first step toward using GenAI responsibly and confidently in your teaching. This foundation enables you to guide students in developing their own AI literacy in ways that strengthen learning and uphold academic integrity.

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