This philosophy is reflected in the guiding principles that underpin Digital Moment’s AI Literacy Framework. The three interconnected pillars provide a foundation for decision-making across Canada’s education systems. Rather than focusing first on technology, the pillars reflect a more fundamental question at the heart of Digital Moment’s approach: What values should guide our approach to AI literacy in education?
Pillar 1: Teaching and Learning Foundations
As education systems explore the use of AI, one of the most important questions educators can ask is: What should never change? The first pillar of Digital Moment’s Framework begins with a clear answer. Great teaching has always been about developing human potential. And that remains true as AI becomes part of many aspects of daily life, work, and learning.
AI literacy is not another subject to squeeze into an already crowded curriculum. It can strengthen goals educators already value: inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, ethical reasoning, and real-world problem-solving. Learners need opportunities to question AI, evaluate it, and understand both its possibilities and limitations.
At the heart of this pillar is human-centred learning. AI should complement, not replace, qualities such as judgement, empathy, curiosity, creativity, adaptability, and agency. Educators’ professional judgement remains central to determining when AI supports learning and how to ensure that learning remains authentic. AI literacy also belongs across the curriculum, wherever learners are asking questions, solving problems, creating, collaborating, and making decisions. This helps learners explore both the opportunities associated with AI and why human strengths become increasingly valuable as automation grows.
Equity is equally fundamental. Every learner should have the opportunity to develop AI literacy, regardless of geography, language, culture, identity, or learning needs. The Framework emphasizes inclusive learning environments, equitable access, learner well-being, privacy, and safety, including for Indigenous, rural, northern, francophone, multilingual, and neurodiverse communities. Together, these commitments keep AI literacy focused on developing human potential.
Pillar 2: Educator Support and Enabling Conditions
Strong teaching depends on strong systems. The second pillar recognizes that educators cannot build AI literacy without the conditions that allow them to succeed. Professional learning, collaborative time, reliable infrastructure, clear guidance, and appropriate resources are essential foundations for responsible implementation.
The Framework recognizes educators as professionals whose expertise and judgement remain central. AI may assist with planning or administrative tasks, but decisions about teaching, assessment, and student learning remain with educators. Building educator confidence also requires coordinated leadership across the education system. Ministries, school boards, Indigenous education authorities, teacher education programs, researchers, technology teams, and community organizations all have a role to play in creating the conditions for sustainable implementation.
The emphasis is on building capacity rather than chasing the latest technology. As artificial intelligence tools and systems evolve, ongoing learning from research, classroom experience, and collaboration across the education ecosystem can help inform implementation. Sustainable implementation depends on supporting educators over the long term, not asking them to navigate change on their own.
Pillar 3: Ethics and Society
Much of the public conversation about AI focuses on what the technology can do. The third pillar asks a more fundamental question: How should AI be used, and who is responsible for making those decisions? Digital Moment’s approach recognizes that AI literacy also means examining the ethical, social, cultural, environmental, and economic implications of technologies that shape information, opportunities, and participation.
The Framework encourages critical thinking about fairness, accountability, transparency, privacy, and responsible data use. These values also need to shape policies and governance.
Building public trust requires transparency and thoughtful leadership. Families, educators, learners, and communities should be able to understand why AI is being used, how decisions are made, and what safeguards are in place to protect privacy, safety, and well-being. Responsible AI also means considering broader impacts, including environmental sustainability, equity, human rights, and the public good.
Ultimately, AI literacy prepares learners for meaningful participation in an AI-enabled society. It involves developing the judgement to question AI’s impacts, consider whose interests are served, and participate thoughtfully in decisions about its role in our communities and future.
Bringing the Principles Together
Taken together, these three pillars articulate Digital Moment’s vision for AI literacy: one that begins with excellent teaching, depends on well-supported educators, and is grounded in ethical leadership and public trust. They reinforce an important point: AI literacy is about people, learning, relationships, values, and the systems that surround them.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the questions facing education will evolve with it. AI literacy is not simply about teaching learners and educators how to use AI. It is about building the knowledge and understanding needed to make informed decisions about if, when, how and why AI should be used, and when it should not be used.
Having a clear set of principles can help learners, educators and education systems navigate these decisions with intention and agency, ensuring that choices about AI remain connected to what matters most in education: creating meaningful learning experiences and supporting every learner to thrive.
If you haven’t already, download the framework here. We’re continuing to refine the framework through ongoing collaboration and dialogue, and welcome your feedback!
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