UNESCO has published AI Answers. You Decide. – A Companion Guide to the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Curriculum, a new educational resource supporting educators in helping learners engage critically and responsibly with artificial intelligence (AI) and navigate information environments increasingly shaped by AI systems.
As AI transforms how information is produced, accessed, evaluated, and shared, the guide showcases the interconnectedness and overlap between AI literacy and Media and Information Literacy (MIL). It explores how core MIL competencies, including critical thinking, source evaluation and recognising bias, can be applied to information environments increasingly influenced by AI-generated content, recommendation algorithms and digital platforms.
The guide addresses five interconnected areas:
- AI in everyday life: identifying AI systems, their applications and the role of personal data.
- AI and the media: exploring how AI transforms journalism, content creation and access to information.
- AI, the human mind and knowledge: strengthening critical thinking, informed trust and the ability to evaluate AI-generated information.
- AI, power and human rights: unpacking algorithmic bias, inequalities, sustainability and the broader societal implications of AI.
- AI and the future: encouraging learners to participate in shaping inclusive and human-centred AI futures.
Designed primarily for educators, teacher-training centres and curriculum developers, the guide combines conceptual explanations with discussion questions, practical activities and real-world examples that can be adapted to different educational contexts. It offers practical approaches that teachers can integrate into their daily practice, including classroom discussions, activities for evaluating AI-generated content, and exercises exploring algorithms, data, media representation and the reliability of AI outputs.
Drawing on discussion-based and inquiry-driven learning approaches, the guide encourages learners to ask critical questions, analyse real-world situations and reflect on the role of AI in their everyday lives. The activities can be used as standalone lessons or integrated into MIL or civics education, incorporated into subjects that address sources, evidence or persuasion, or used in teacher education. While designed primarily for learners aged 13 to 15, they can be adapted for different age groups and learning contexts.
The guide builds on UNESCO’s flagship Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for Educators and Learners, Media and Information Literate Citizens: Think Critically, Click Wisely!, first launched in 2021 and adopted in over 40 countries. It extends the curriculum to the evolving AI-mediated information environment, complementing rather than replacing the existing resource.
The guide is available here: AI Answers. You Decide. – A Companion Guide to the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Curriculum.