Digital Design Team

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating programs and machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include processing language, recognizing images, and generating content. AI systems take in data and, based on defined or learned patterns, produce outputs like predictions, recommendations, or decisions that can affect both the physical and digital world (OECD, 2024).

AI literacy is the foundation for enabling society to realize AI's benefits while mitigating its risks. Students, educators, and citizens must have a foundational understanding of how AI works, its societal impacts, and its ethical and trustworthy use.

The lack of a widely adopted understanding of AI literacy and how it integrates with academic disciplines significantly limits the ability to leverage AI's potential. Barriers to introducing AI literacy include a crowded curriculum, insufficient resources, limited training, and a lack of guidance. Disparities in digital infrastructure, professional learning, and curriculum resources are

likely to amplify already significant gaps in digital competency. (TeachAI, 2025)

AI literacy empowers us to critically evaluate AI technologies and create and innovate with them responsibly. Equipping students and educators with a foundational understanding of AI, its societal implications, and its ethical use enables them to capture AI’s potential benefits in education and everyday life.

Conceptually, AI Literacy focuses on "How to Use" AI-based "tools" whereas Computer Science focuses on "How it Works." Students need to know both areas to be able to understand and use AI technology properly. 

As illustrated below, Computer Science is "foundational" for a wide range of technology-based topic areas including but not limited to AI.

AI Literacy is closely connected to Computer Science as it builds upon the following five (5) "foundational" core concepts and practices taught in computer science education:

Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) K-12 Computer Science Standards

From a standards-based education perspective, AI Education is currently aligned to the K-12 Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Computer Science standards that have been adopted in 2018 by the Hawaii Board of Education. The CSTA K–12 Computer Science Standards delineate a core set of learning objectives designed to provide the foundation for a complete Computer Science curriculum and its implementation at the K–12 level. Note: CSTA acknowledges the evolving Computer Science Education landscape and will be releasing the Reimagine CS Pathways Report on the next version of the CSTA K-12 Standards and AP Courses this coming Summer 2024.

TeachAI Policy Resources

TeachAI brings together education leaders and technology experts to assist governments and education authorities in teaching with and about AI. TeachAI's AI Literacy Framework will be released in the summer of 2024 and will help provide further guidance with standards and curriculum, professional development, and integration across various subjects.

AI4K12: K-12 AI Guidelines

AI4K12's K-12 AI Guidelines are organized around the 5 Big Ideas in AI. The guidelines will serve as a framework to assist standards writers and curricula developers on AI concepts, essential knowledge, and skills by grade band.

While AI tools provide students exciting learning opportunities, there are age restrictions for generative AI tools such as ChatGPT that currently requires users to be at least 13 years old. It also requires parent or legal guardian’s permission for students between the ages of 13 and 18. The website warns that “ChatGPT may produce output that is not appropriate for all audiences or all ages and educators should be mindful of that while using it with students or in classroom contexts.” 

Refer to the AI Education Resources section or contact us at cs@k12.hi.us for guidance on AI/CS-related age/grade level appropriate learning resources.

Contact us at cs@k12.hi.us to schedule a meeting to discuss your Computer Science AI Professional Development and Support needs.