Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer the stuff of science fiction. It’s already part of our everyday lives — often without us even realizing it. It’s there when a video is recommended to us, when we speak to a virtual assistant, or when we use an app to study or translate something.

We live surrounded by technology that learns from us, that adapts to what we do, that influences our choices. And yet, we talk very little about it in schools.

If we want to prepare children and young people for a world increasingly shaped by AI, we need to help them understand it, question it, and imagine new possibilities with it. Teaching AI in schools isn’t about fear — it’s about opening doors.

Here are three fundamental truths about AI we should be teaching.

1. AI isn’t magic — it’s math, data, and human effort

At first glance, AI can feel like magic. How does a system “know” what to say? How does it “understand” us? How does it manage to write, recommend, or predict things so accurately?

But the truth is, there’s no magic behind it. AI works through massive amounts of calculations, huge datasets, and years of human work. It doesn’t think, feel, or understand the world — it simply recognizes patterns and follows rules. Everything it knows, we taught it.

Explaining this can be empowering. It helps young people see that behind this powerful technology are humans — just like them — curious, creative, and full of ideas. AI isn’t some untouchable mystery. It’s something we can learn, shape, and improve.

2. AI learns from us — and that comes with responsibility

AI is built using data. And that data comes from us — our actions, our decisions, our history. Which means that when we train AI, we’re also passing on our values, our habits, and yes, our mistakes.

And here’s the sensitive point: if there’s bias in the data, AI will learn and repeat it. If there’s inequality, it can reinforce it. Technology isn’t neutral — it reflects who we are.

So more than just teaching how AI works, we need to teach students to think critically about it. Who built this system? For what purpose? Who benefits from it? Who might be harmed?

Teaching this is giving young people the power to take a stand — to not accept everything at face value, and to demand fairness, ethics, and inclusion, even in the world of technology.

3. AI can be a powerful ally — if we use it with awareness

AI can do amazing things. It can help doctors save lives, predict natural disasters, or create entirely new ways of learning and teaching. It can be a creative, inspiring tool that expands what’s possible.

But it can also be used to monitor, manipulate, or exclude. That’s why we need to teach this truth: AI isn’t good or bad in itself — it depends on how we use it, and the values behind it.

Digital literacy is not just about knowing how to click buttons or write code. It’s about knowing how to ask the right questions, reflect deeply, and choose with intention.

Conclusion

Teaching these truths about AI in schools is an act of trust. It means believing that young people are capable of handling complex topics, thinking critically, and using knowledge with wisdom.

We don’t just want to raise users of technology. We want to raise people who look at the world with curiosity and courage — who aren’t afraid to do things differently, and who are ready to imagine and build fairer, more human, more conscious futures.

AI is a powerful tool.But what we choose to do with it... that’s entirely up to us.