AI Literacy at the U of A – Validation Framework

This is the validation version of the University of Alberta's AI Literacy Framework. It is built on the AI literacy framework developed by the Digital Education Council (DEC), an international network that includes the U of A and many Canadian peer institutions, and was adapted to reflect our own values and context using feedback from more than 200 faculty, staff, and students gathered during the Winter 2026 term. We will continue validating the framework through Fall 2026. In parallel, work is underway to map the university's learning opportunities to the framework by audience, so that students, instructors, and staff can more easily find resources suited to their needs.

 

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Understanding Data

Foundational Data Literacy
Develop understanding of foundational data literacy concepts, including principles of data sovereignty and critical evaluation of sources.

Examples:

  • Understand basic criteria for finding and assessing data sources.
  • Understand core principles and institutional policies related to misinformation and privacy.
  • Consider the importance of data sources in evaluating AI tools and outputs.

Critical Data Literacy
Critically interrogate data foundations of AI tools and systems, considering sources of potential bias and principles related to Indigenous knowledge and data governance.

Examples:

  • Apply evaluation frameworks to assess the appropriateness of AI tools and outputs based on their data foundations.
  • Apply core concepts of critical information literacy to understand social and cultural implications of AI data practices.
  • Understand institutional and sector-wide commitments related to Indigenous knowledge and data governance.

Applied Data Literacy 
Incorporate rigorous data literacy approaches into AI use and evaluation of AI outputs, and apply principles of OCAP* and CARE** to data governance and management in the context of AI.

Examples:

  • Apply principles of OCAP and CARE across the spectrum of AI use, from individual practice to team and institutional policies and frameworks.
  • Apply critical information literacy skills to evaluate and mitigate the validity of AI outputs.
  • Observe and/or establish appropriate data governance protocols.

AI Tools and Systems

Foundational AI  Awareness

Develop a basic understanding of AI concepts, how AI systems function, and the role of data in AI decision-making.

Examples:

  • Understand the importance of verifying AI-driven insights with human judgement. 
  • Understand basic evaluation criteria for AI-generated content, such as accuracy, consistency, and source reliability. 
  • Identify a number of inconsistencies or biases in AI-generated content.

AI in Action
Select AI tools for real-world tasks, understand how AI models work, and assess the role of data in AI performance.

Examples:

  • Apply evaluation frameworks to assess the validity of AI-generated insights. 
  • Identify and articulate biases or inconsistencies in AI-generated output. 
  • Compare AI-generated information against multiple independent sources for verification.

AI Optimization
Critically engage with AI systems, assess their technical capabilities, and strategically integrate AI into decision-making.

Examples:

  • Apply logical reasoning to understand how AI generates responses, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different AI models and their output, and effectively build upon them. 
  • Effectively leverage AI capability to support critical thinking skills.  
  • Recognize and manage the nuanced impacts of AI in complex, high-stakes situations.

Critical Thinking and Judgment

Question AI Use and Output
Identify key criteria for deciding whether to use AI tools and for evaluating AI output, and understand that AI-generated content may contain biases or errors

Examples:

  • Understand the importance of verifying AI-driven insights with human judgement. 
  • Understand basic evaluation criteria for AI-generated content, such as accuracy, consistency, and source reliability. 
  • Identify a number of inconsistencies or biases in AI-generated content.


Evaluate AI Use and Output
Critically evaluate AI use cases and assess alternatives, and critically evaluate AI AI-generated content using established evaluation criteria and identify biases or inconsistencies.

Examples:

  • Apply evaluation frameworks to assess the validity of AI-generated insights. 
  • Identify and articulate biases or inconsistencies in AI-generated output. 
  • Compare AI-generated information against multiple independent sources for verification.

Challenge AI Use and Output

Demonstrate expertise in evaluating AI-generated output with rigorous methodologies, interrogating AI's reasoning processes, and assessing AI's impact on human cognition.

Examples:

  • Apply logical reasoning to understand how AI generates responses, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different AI models and their output, and effectively build upon them. 
  • Effectively leverage AI capability to enhance critical thinking skills. 
  • Recognize and manage the nuanced impacts of AI in complex, high-stakes situations.

Ethical and Responsible Use

Understand Principles
Understand fundamental principles of AI ethics and can recognize potential risks, such as bias, misinformation,  discrimination, and impacts on Indigenous communities.

Examples:

  • Define key AI ethics principles (e.g. fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy). 
  • Recognize how AI systems can perpetuate bias and inequality. 
  • Identify ethical concerns in AI-driven decision-making (e.g. hiring, surveillance, law enforcement)

Apply Responsible Practices
Apply ethical principles and frameworks to make informed decisions about the use and application of AI and to mitigate risks or harms associated with AI use.

Examples:

  • Assess AI systems for compliance with ethical standards and legal frameworks.
  • Identify and mitigate risks related to bias, discrimination, and data privacy in AI applications. 
  • Implement strategies to ensure fairness and accountability in AI decision-making

Shape Responsible Practices
Demonstrate expertise in evaluating, shaping, and advocating for ethical AI policies, governance frameworks, and institutional practices consistent with the university’s values and commitments.

Examples:

  • Critically evaluate ethical implications of AI adoption at an institutional or societal level. 
  • Contribute to the development of AI governance frameworks and ethical AI policies. 
  • Provide guidance on ethical AI adoption in professional, academic, or policy environments.

Human-Centricity, Emotional Intelligence, and Creativity

Awareness of Human-AI Interaction
Have a foundational understanding of how AI affects human decision-making, communication, and emotional intelligence.

Examples:

  • Recognize how AI influences human behaviour, decision-making, and interactions. 
  • Identify situations where AI may lack human sensitivity (e.g. AI-generated feedback, automated decision-making).
  • Understand the importance of empathy and adaptability in AI-augmented environments.

AI as Collaborative Tool
Able to integrate AI skills into human-centred environments to promote responsible, ethical, and inclusive AI use.

Examples:

  • Apply effective communication strategies and human-in-the-loop strategies when using AI tools in professional and educational settings. 
  • Identify opportunities to enhance human-centred skills and foster creative thinking with AI, and propose strategies for continued development. 
  • Assess AI tools to ensure inclusivity for different user groups.

Develop Human-Centred AI Practices
Advocate for human-centred AI approaches, ensuring AI remains a tool that complements rather than replaces human skills.

Examples:

  • Develop AI-driven workplace or education policies that safeguard human agency in decision-making. 
  • Establish guidelines for using AI in professional or educational environments that ensure AI complements, rather than replaces, human interaction and creativity.  
  • Conduct empirical studies or pilots testing the impact of AI in human-centred roles.

Domain Expertise

Applied AI Awareness
Develop a basic understanding of how AI is used in their specific field and can identify relevant AI tools and applications.

Examples:

  • Identify key AI applications relevant to a specific domain (e.g. AI in medicine, law, education, finance). 
  • Recognize how AI is transforming professional roles and industry standards. 
  • Understand the basic limitations of AI when applied in a particular field.

AI Application in Professional Contexts
Where relevant, effectively use AI tools to support tasks, optimize workflows, and improve decision-making within their discipline.

Examples:

  • Select and apply AI tools that enhance efficiency and accuracy in a professional or academic setting. 
  • Assess the strengths and weaknesses of AI applications within specific processes or parts of the value chain. 
  • Integrate AI insights into professional decision-making while understanding AI’s role as a complement to human expertise.

Strategic AI Leadership
Develop advanced expertise in AI applications within their discipline, ensuring AI is effectively integrated into strategic decision-making where relevant.

Examples:

  • Evaluate and refine AI adoption strategies within the field, considering regulatory, ethical, and operational constraints. 
  • Lead the implementation of AI-driven innovations in a professional or academic context. 
  • Develop training materials or guidelines to enhance AI literacy among peers and colleagues in the field.

*OCAP: Ownership, Control, Access, Possession

**CARE: Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics


This framework is built on the AI literacy framework developed by the Digital Education Council.