Zero Illiteracy for Tech Literacy

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the State of Dutch Tech 2024 in Den Haag, alongside some of my fellow Equals entrepreneurs, where brilliant business minds from the Netherlands (and from across the globe) converged to discuss the future of AI.

The main stage was buzzing for the first half with really interesting perspectives from Thomas Wolf from Hugging Face to Vidya Peters from DataSnipper but it was Anna Koivuniemi's words that resonated deeply when she said "The future of AI should start early, learning from a young age so they can use technology responsibly". They are along the same lines by Dr. Kai Chen, author of AI 2041 who said “The future of AI lies not only in algorithms and neural networks but in the hearts and minds of our youngest generation.”

One of the many topics we have been discussing with our Edtech peers is about the safety and ethics in AI and how we can make it better from the start (I feel we failed badly with the internet and social media before). What can we make different this time?

I believe what they both said, that the main action for a safer AI future is early education. We must equip our children with tech literacy from the moment they step into the classroom. Imagine a world where every child understands the basics of coding, data privacy, and ethical AI. It’s not just about creating future engineers; it’s about nurturing responsible digital citizens.

But let’s zoom out for a moment. To educate in tech, we need a zero illiteracy policy in place first. Yes, you read that right. To learn tech they must learn to read and write first...with no gaps. In most countries, we have introduced Storytime to highlight the same challenge: literacy levels have fallen massively in the classroom because the habit of reading for pleasure has not been nurtured. We need a zero illiteracy policy in place to ensure we can achieve literacy in tech...so to ensure they can navigate the digital landscape with confidence. It’s not enough to know how to swipe a screen; we need them to decipher the language of algorithms, APIs, and neural networks.

?? The Power of Stories

Here’s where the magic happens: stories. Stories are the warp and weft of human existence. They ignite curiosity, spark imagination, and build empathy. I believe we can also teach tech through stories - Imagine a child reading a tale where algorithms collaborate with dreamy clouds and neural networks whisper secrets. Suddenly, tech isn’t intimidating—it’s a thrilling adventure waiting to unfold.

Through tech, we also can make stories accessible. Not just in textbooks, but in interactive apps, bedtime tales, and animated videos. We want to create a bridge between the binary code and bedtime stories. When a child learn about technology and the world through a captivating narrative, they’re not just learning—they’re dreaming. And dreams, my friends, are the seeds of innovation.

?? All Things Are Languages

Remember, all things are languages we must learn. Just as we decode Shakespearean sonnets and decipher ancient hieroglyphs, we must unravel the language of AI. But before we dive into neural networks, let’s ensure every child can read, comprehend, and dream with confidence.

As I left the conference yesterday, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The future of AI isn’t just about lines of code; it’s about the stories we share around them. So, let’s be the storytellers, the educators, and the dream cultivators. We would love to empower kids to embrace tech as a language—one they can learn, thrive on, and shape for generations to come.

#AI #TechLiteracy #EducationMatters #DreamBig