Research
Why AI Literacy Is the Skill of the Future
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic buzzword — it’s actively reshaping how we work, manage, and make decisions. Whether it’s automating tasks, helping with data analysis, or even assisting in creative projects, AI is steadily integrating into everyday business life.“AI is poised to fundamentally reshape human resource management by playing an increasingly crucial role in managerial decision-making.”1
According to the World Bank, technological advances contributed to half of Europe’s job growth from 1999 to 2016 , particularly in repetitive-task automation. The International Labour Organization (ILO) further reports that 24% of office-related jobs are highly vulnerable to automation, while 58% are at medium risk. In the U.S., about 47% of current jobs may be automated, and in Germany, youth employment has already seen a drop due to AI-driven robotization2 So what does this mean for today’s university students — the soon-to-be workforce? How can they remain relevant and competitive?
AI Literacy: Not Just for Techies Anymore
In response to this transformation, a growing concept in business and education is “AI readiness”,the ability to adopt, adapt, and integrate AI into meaningful workplace practices.
Companies that develop AI capabilities are gaining an edge in a rapidly evolving market. But for this to happen, education must step up. Schools, particularly business schools, must help students not just learn about AI but also feel confident and competent using it.
This aligns with UNESCO’s global guidance, which stresses the importance of “equipping students and educators with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to engage with AI ethically and safely .”
However, several studies show there’s still a “gap between current AI competencies and what the job market truly needs.”3(Muhammad Imran Qureshi et al., “Digital technologies in education 4.0. Does it enhance the effectiveness of learning?,” (2021). International initiatives like Finland’s free online AI course “Elements of AI,” Singapore’s SkillsFuture program, and China’s updated ICT high school curriculum all point to the same urgency: build AI skills now.
Research Aim and Questions
In this study, I focus on students from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School to explore: Does a student’s AI literacy influence their willingness to use AI in their future job?
My research has four key goals:
- Understand the current level of AI awareness and learning among business school students
- Measure students’ AI literacy using a structured framework
- Explore whether AI literacy translates into a stronger intention to use AI in the workplace
- Examine the role of perceived usefulness, ease of use, and credibility as mediators in this relationship
Accordingly, my research addresses these questions:
- How are business students currently learning about AI?
- What is their level of AI literacy?
- Does this literacy impact their future behavior?
- What additional factors shape their intention to use AI?
[1] Michael Leyer and Sabrina Schneider, “Decision augmentation and automation with artificial intelligence: threat or opportunity for managers?,” Business Horizons 64, no. 5 (2021).）
[2] Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael A Osborne, “The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerisation?,” Technological forecasting and social change 114 (2017
[3] Muhammad Imran Qureshi et al., “Digital technologies in education 4.0. Does it enhance the effectiveness of learning?,” (2021)