As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape education, communication, creativity, and the future workplace, experts urge parents to ensure children develop AI literacy from an early age.
Evans Edeha, CEO of Safi Education Limited, said AI is no longer a distant technological advancement but a tool already influencing how children learn, access information, create content, and interact with the digital world.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer a future idea. It is already shaping how children learn, search, create, play, communicate, and eventually work. This means AI literacy is becoming as important as reading, writing, and basic computer skills,” Edeha said.
According to him, AI literacy does not mean every child must become a software developer or artificial intelligence engineer. Rather, it means equipping children with the ability to understand, question, and responsibly use AI-powered tools.
The rise of generative AI tools has increased the need for digital awareness among young people.
UNESCO’s 2023 Guidance for Generative AI in Education urges education systems to establish strict regulatory guardrails.
To address issues like accuracy, privacy, and ethics, UNESCO emphasises equipping students with the critical competencies required to safely and responsibly navigate GenAI.
Edeha said children who develop AI literacy will be better positioned to navigate a future where technology and human skills work together.
“An AI-literate child knows how to use AI tools responsibly. They can ask better questions, check information instead of blindly trusting it, and use technology to support creativity, learning, and problem-solving,” he said.
The demand for AI skills is also growing in the global workforce. The World Economic Forum(WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 identified AI, big data, and technological literacy among the fastest-growing skills required by employers, as businesses adopt intelligent systems.
The report also projected that millions of jobs will be transformed by technological changes, making adaptability and digital skills critical for future workers.
Beyond career readiness, Edeha said AI literacy has become a digital safety issue.
“Children need to understand how data, privacy, deepfakes, online manipulation, and digital responsibility work. Without this knowledge, they may become vulnerable in a world where technology is becoming more persuasive and harder to detect,” he said.
Concerns around AI-generated misinformation have increased globally as tools capable of creating realistic images, videos, and text become more accessible.
The International Telecommunication Union reports has repeatedly highlighted the need for stronger digital skills among children to help them navigate online risks safely.
AI literacy also supports confidence and creativity among young learners, according to Edeha.
“Technology is not magic and it is not something to fear. It is a tool children can understand, question, and use wisely,” he said.
Experts argue that early exposure to responsible AI use could help children move from being passive consumers of technology to active creators and innovators.
“The parents who prepare their children for AI are not just helping them keep up. They are helping them lead,” Edeha stated.
As AI becomes integrated into classrooms, workplaces, and everyday life, parents and schools are expected to play a major role in preparing children for a world where the ability to work alongside intelligent systems may become a basic life skill.
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