Adolescents' Understanding of AI: Challenges and Opportunities for AI Literacy Education

This study examines adolescents' understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) in Hong Kong, revealing significant gaps in AI literacy despite students' digital proficiency. We interviewed 55 students from 11 middle schools in Hong Kong between 2022 and 2023, following their participation in an AI literacy education intervention. While students are adept at using AI-driven tools, they often lack a deeper grasp of AI’s technical functions and societal implications, focusing primarily on immediate impacts like job displacement. Complex topics, such as algorithmic bias and ethical concerns, feel remote and less relevant to them, and perceptions of AI are frequently influenced by media-driven fears. Findings indicate that current AI literacy programs foster only surface-level understanding, leaving students underprepared to assess AI’s broader societal role. This study suggests a need for interdisciplinary, contextually relevant AI education that connects technical and ethical insights to real-world applications, empowering adolescents to critically and confidently engage with an AI-driven future.