Why Literacy Skills Matter More Than Ever in the Age of AI

I'd be surprised if you haven't tried ChatGPT or Deepseek text chats yet. Maybe you know someone that defaults to recommending these whenever a question comes up. It's funny to think that not long ago we were all struggling to tell Alexa to turn the lights off and now we can request just about anything from multiple different AI and get a sensible response.

I won't go too deep into the technical details of how LLMs work here, but for the purpose of this article think of them as a sophisticated autocomplete. It's not just fixing typos or finishing single words as you go, it's helping to complete entire thoughts or concepts (sometimes in ways you hadn't considered when you started typing).

LLMs have revolutionized how we interact with technology. These AI systems can write code, compose music, analyze data, and even help with homework. They're becoming as commonplace as calculators were to previous generations. A tool that augments our capabilities rather than replace them.

Just as a calculator needs a human to input the right equation, AI needs clear, precise communication to deliver valuable results.These tools are only as good as the instructions we give them. This is where strong literacy skills become crucial.

In a world where AI can generate content instantly, the ability to read critically and write effectively becomes more valuable, not less. Think of it this way, if everyone has access to the same AI tools, what sets people apart is their ability to:

• Craft precise instructions (prompts) for AI tools
• Distinguish between quality information and AI hallucinations
• Express unique human perspectives and emotions through writing

These skills are the kinds of building blocks for success in an AI-augmented world. The better your children can read and write, the more effectively they can leverage AI tools while maintaining their unique human perspective.

Strong literacy skills create a positive feedback loop with AI tools. The better your children can communicate, the more value they can extract from AI assistants:

• Writing skills enable effective refinement and iteration of AI-generated content
• Reading comprehension helps identify useful information from AI responses
• Critical thinking skills help separate fact from AI-generated fiction

It seems likely to me that these advantages would compound over time. As AI tools become more sophisticated, the gap between those who can effectively communicate with them and those who cannot will likely widen.

Here are strategies I'm using to help nurture literacy for my young kids which you can implement today:

• Make reading a daily ritual, even if it's just 15 minutes before bedtime (this is the easiest one for me and my kids to be consistent with)
• Practice summarizing content together, whether it's their day, books, or movies
  • "What was the most exciting thing that happened today?"
  • "What was your favorite part of the story?"
  • "Can you tell me what happened in that movie we just watched?"
• Create opportunities for your child to write for real audiences, like messages or letters to relatives
  • "What would you like to tell Grandma about your new toy?"
  • "Should we write a thank you note to Uncle Steve?"
  • "Want to send your cousin a birthday message?"

The more practice they get, the better they'll get. It still amazes me how fast kids catch on to anything with enough repetition.

Our children's success won't come from competing with AI, but from learning to harness it effectively. It can amplify strong writing and comprehension skills, but it can't replace them. Without a solid foundation in reading and writing, our children risk producing shallow, AI-dependent work that lacks the depth and originality that comes from true literacy.

Human potential hasn't changed. We can still only process and create so much in a given day. What's different is how we can multiply that potential through AI. By focusing on strong literacy skills now, we're giving our children the foundation to truly leverage AI as a force multiplier for their ideas, creativity, and communication, rather than becoming dependent on it as a crutch.