Madeha Naqvi, host of a Samaa TV segment in Pakistan, said children should learn about artificial intelligence to prepare for the digital world [1].

Integrating AI into early education is seen as a critical step to ensure students possess the technical literacy required for future employment and societal navigation.

Education experts said that equipping children with these skills enhances critical thinking and allows them to function effectively in an AI-driven society [2, 3]. This shift comes as technology becomes deeply embedded in the classroom experience. The Forbes Technology Council said, "AI is becoming a defining feature of modern education systems" [2].

Global adoption of these tools is already widespread. Approximately 86% of students worldwide report using AI regularly in their studies [2]. This high rate of usage underscores the gap between student behavior and formal institutional policy.

However, the rapid integration of these tools brings challenges. The Tech Edvocate said the introduction of generative AI into the classroom has raised pressing questions about the implications for student learning [3]. These concerns include how students process information, and whether reliance on AI might hinder traditional cognitive development.

Despite these concerns, proponents argue that the risk of digital illiteracy is greater than the risk of tool misuse. By teaching the mechanics and ethics of AI, educators can guide students toward productive use of the technology — rather than passive consumption.

“AI is becoming a defining feature of modern education systems.”

The push for AI literacy in Pakistan and globally reflects a transition from viewing AI as a niche technical skill to treating it as a foundational competency. As a vast majority of students already utilize these tools, the focus is shifting from prohibition to the creation of frameworks that balance technological efficiency with the preservation of critical thinking.