Teaching AI Literacy: Empowering Our Students for the Future

As part of PJA’s 7th grade health curriculum, our school introduced a unit on generative AI (GenAI). GenAI is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content—such as text, images, audio, or code—based on patterns learned from existing data. This initiative reflects PJA’s commitment to equipping students with the skills they need to navigate an evolving digital landscape. GenAI is becoming an integral part of our lives, shaping how we solve problems, create, and learn. By understanding how this technology works and using it responsibly, our students will be better prepared for high school and beyond.

What Are PJA Students Learning?

• What GenAI is and how it works.
• Responsible AI use and ethical considerations, including environmental impact.
• PJA’s policies on student AI use and whether updates are needed.
• Hands-on experimentation with AI tools.
• Strategies for using AI as a learning aid without over-reliance.

We introduce this topic in the second half of seventh grade because many GenAI tools are designed for users aged 13 and older.

Why Teach AI Now?

GenAI is one of the fastest-growing technologies in history. ChatGPT, for example, reached 100 million users in just two months and now sees 1.6 billion users per month—on par with major search engines and social media platforms. This technology is already shaping industries and education, making AI literacy an essential skill.

In our lessons, students have explored how large language models function, what they do well, and the potential pitfalls—such as AI’s tendency to generate incorrect information with complete confidence.

AI and Critical Thinking

A recent Microsoft study found that AI is shifting critical thinking, rather than eliminating it. Knowledge workers now spend less time on direct tasks and more time verifying, ideating, and refining AI-generated content. The study highlights key concerns:

• Blind trust: AI outputs must be critically evaluated to catch errors and biases.
• Skill development: Users must have the expertise to oversee AI-generated content effectively.
• Overdependence: A strong reliance on AI can reduce an individual’s problem-solving confidence.
• Creativity risks: Since AI is trained on existing data, it may limit originality and diverse perspectives.

By discussing these challenges, we aim to foster responsible AI engagement and critical thinking skills.

How We Use AI Matters

The way people interact with AI can lead to two very different paths:

1. Cognitive Decay – Users who passively accept AI-generated content without questioning or refining it may experience a decline in critical thinking skills.
2. Cognitive Amplification – Users who engage actively with AI, treating it as a thinking partner, can enhance creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual growth.

It's important to remember that AI is neither inherently beneficial nor harmful—its value is shaped by how we choose to use it. For those who engage thoughtfully and critically, AI can be a powerful tool for exploration and innovation. For those who use it as a shortcut for thinking, it risks diminishing cognitive growth over time.

The key to thriving in an AI-driven world is to approach this technology with curiosity and active engagement. By understanding AI’s strengths and limitations, making informed decisions, and using AI to enhance creativity rather than constrain it, our students can develop the skills needed to navigate the future successfully.

At PJA, we believe that AI literacy, combined with thoughtful guidance, is essential to empowering students in this new era of technology. By fostering responsible AI use, we are preparing students to be informed, ethical, and capable digital citizens.
For those interested in the study we discussed in class, you can find it here.