All around us people are talking about AI.
From using ChatGPT for quick answers to depending on apps that “think” for us, it has become part of how we study, research, and even think. But here’s the catch: are we actually using it smartly and ethically?
This week, while the world celebrates Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week, the theme "Minds over AI: Media Information Literacy in Digital Spaces" resonates especially with us students. It's not another awareness week, rather it is a nudge to take a step back and reflect on how we're using AI and if we're using it intelligently.
In her thoughtful article, "The Need to Integrate AI with Media Information Literacy in Indian Academia," Prof. Lydia Glory Jose, Assistant Professor, IILM University, Gurugram, discusses just that. She notes that it's not sufficient to understand how to utilize AI, we must also know when and why. Following UNESCO's Five Laws of Media and Information Literacy, she describes that AI literacy must be handled like any other critical skill available to every student, not just those with technology-intensive majors.
India’s youth are among the fastest adopters of technology, and that’s something to be proud of. But still, as Prof. Jose highlights, there’s a noticeable gap when it comes to the ethical and theoretical side of AI. Many universities have AI policies in place, but the emphasis on using it responsibly is often just a small part of the syllabus. That’s not enough anymore.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 already encourages critical thinking and digital literacy. Building on that, Prof. Jose suggests that AI and Media Literacy courses should be a core part of every undergraduate program, something that helps both students and teachers keep up with a world that’s evolving faster than ever.
At the end of the day, AI isn’t here to replace us. It’s here to challenge us to be sharper thinkers, more ethical decision-makers, and better communicators. As IILM students, this week is a great reminder that being “AI-smart” isn’t just about knowing how to prompt a chatbot. It’s about knowing how to question it.
