New report highlights urgent need for AI literacy
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Good Things Australia announces the launch of the Digital Sisters: AI for Good project that will support refugee and migrant women in building their understanding and use of AI.
The Digital Sisters AI for Good project in collaboration with Microsoft and Telstra, will launch inclusive learning materials through 20 national partners and train 40 Digital Mentors to reach 600 women.
Additionally, 3,500 community organisations will gain access to program resources via Good Things networked model.
“We’re thrilled to be launching this work that will support women in building the skills and confidence to engage with AI and other emerging technologies so they don’t get left behind,” said Good Things CEO Jess Wilson.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Telstra and Microsoft on this groundbreaking initiative.”
As part of Digital Sisters AI for Good, Good Things Australia conducted extensive research into the intersection between AI literacy and digital inclusion, through surveys with community organisations and consultations with individuals from various sectors. They also engaged directly with refugee and migrant women.
Insights were refined during a cross-sector roundtable in early May.
Key findings from Digital Sisters AI for Good report include:
- Barriers to AI engagement mirror those faced by the digitally excluded, including low digital ability, affordability, access to technology, and regional disparities.
- AI Literacy was widely understood as having the skills and knowledge to effectively, responsibly and safely use AI tools and is made up of intersecting literacies including digital, data, information, and language literacy.
- Ethical concerns around AI development, included online harm, data privacy, and bias in existing tools.
- A general lack of awareness about AI among migrant and refugee women, despite its daily use.
- A person needs to have basic digital and literacy skills to use AI powered tools and devices, although AI tools can help to overcome some barriers to technology use.
“It’s not just about how to use AI, supporting people to build their AI literacy means being able to critically analyse information that is created by AI,” said Wilson.
“But this is not just an individual responsibility, we need to engage in a public conversation about AI’s benefits and risks, ensuring that the continued digitisation that is occurring as a result of AI does not leave people further behind.”
The Digital Sisters AI for Good program continues Good Things Australia’s commitment to digital inclusion, aiming to empower women with the skills to navigate and leverage AI technologies safely.
“Educational materials on AI technologies should prioritise practical, relatable, and culturally appropriate approaches,” concluded Wilson.
“We look forward to working with 20 of our community partners across the country to develop and test approaches to learning about AI and watching as refugee and migrant women use these tools to improve their lives.”
Related: Partnership to build healthier communities through education
Pearl Dy is a community manager and journalist. She is passionate about business and development particularly involving not-for-profits, charity and social entrepreneurship.
