Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing various aspects of education and everyday life, including functional literacy. One of the primary ways AI impacts functional literacy is through personalized learning experiences. AI-powered educational tools can assess individual learning styles, preferences, and levels of understanding, allowing for tailored instruction that meets the specific needs of each learner. This personalized approach can help individuals develop the essential reading and writing skills required for functional literacy at their own pace, enhancing their ability to engage with texts in meaningful ways. As a result, learners can build confidence and competence, which are crucial for navigating everyday tasks.

Moreover, AI technologies, such as natural language processing and machine learning, can facilitate access to information and resources that support functional literacy. For instance, AI-driven applications can provide real-time language translation, making it easier for individuals who speak different languages to understand written materials. This accessibility can reduce barriers to literacy and empower non-native speakers to participate more fully in their communities. Additionally, AI tools can help users interact with complex texts by summarizing information, generating explanations, or providing context for unfamiliar vocabulary, thereby promoting comprehension and retention.

AI also plays a significant role in the development of digital literacy skills, which are increasingly intertwined with functional literacy in today’s information-driven society. As individuals are required to navigate digital platforms for communication, information retrieval, and daily tasks, the ability to critically assess and engage with digital content becomes essential. AI can assist in teaching digital literacy by providing interactive simulations, tutorials, and assessments that help users develop the skills necessary to evaluate online information, discern credible sources, and utilize digital tools effectively. This comprehensive approach helps bridge the gap between traditional literacy skills and the demands of modern life.

However, while AI has the potential to enhance functional literacy, it also presents challenges and concerns. The reliance on AI technologies can lead to issues related to information overload, where individuals may struggle to discern valuable content from irrelevant or misleading information. Additionally, there are concerns about equity and access; not everyone has equal access to AI tools and technologies, which can exacerbate existing disparities in literacy skills. Ensuring that AI-driven solutions are inclusive and accessible to all populations is essential to avoid widening the literacy gap.

Finally, AI has a profound impact on functional literacy by personalizing learning experiences, improving access to information, and fostering digital literacy skills. As AI technologies continue to evolve and permeate various aspects of life, their role in shaping functional literacy will likely expand. However, it is crucial to approach these innovations thoughtfully, addressing challenges related to equity and information overload to ensure that all individuals can benefit from the advancements in AI while developing essential literacy skills for the modern world.

By overpowering the usual thought process of individuals brain .

Thank you, Joseph Ozigis Akomodi

Your emphasis on personalized learning and digital access is especially timely. Drawing from my work in sociocultural theory within early childhood education, I’d add that for AI to support literacy truly, it must be culturally and linguistically responsive, not just adaptive to pace and level, but also attuned to learners' identities and contexts. Your points about multilingual support and digital literacy are well taken, and I encourage further exploration of translanguaging and critical digital engagement, especially for marginalized learners. I also appreciate your attention to equity and access; without addressing the digital divide, even the most innovative tools risk deepening disparities. As AI continues to evolve, we must ensure it complements, not replaces, human-centered, culturally grounded instruction. I look forward to continued dialogue on leveraging these tools to support literacy in truly inclusive ways.

All the best,

Dianala

AI is having a growing impact on functional literacy — that is, the ability to read, write, and use information effectively in everyday life — in several important ways.