Imagine a future where people don’t understand the most potent tool shaping our economy, society and daily lives. If we don’t adequately prepare the next generation, that possibility will quickly become our reality. Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t a distant innovation; it’s an integral part of our daily existence. In this new reality, we must ask: Are schools preparing the next generation to understand and responsibly use this transformative technology? In many classrooms, the answer is no. Embedding AI into school curriculums is essential because AI is already embedded in our world, influencing everything from health care and finance to education and entertainment. Without equipping students with AI literacy, we risk leaving them unprepared for the job market and unable to navigate the ethical questions or political issues of AI.

AI’s impact on the job market is clear. According to the International Monetary Fund, artificial intelligence will impact about three in every five jobs in the United States and other advanced economies. AI-based automation is already transforming industries including manufacturing and customer service, where tasks once performed by humans are now managed by AI-driven systems. Health care is also seeing significant changes, with AI assisting in rapidly analyzing medical images. If students lack AI literacy, they may struggle to compete for future careers in an economy increasingly dependent on AI. Schools must act now to ensure that students understand AI and can leverage it effectively in their professional lives.

The importance of AI education goes beyond economic opportunity; it’s a matter of ethical responsibility. AI-driven algorithms increasingly influence decisions in law enforcement, hiring and beyond. Research shows that AI-based facial recognition has misidentified people of color at higher rates, potentially leading to discriminatory practices. This issue highlights how inherent bias exists within AI systems. Teaching students how AI works and about the bias within its algorithms empowers them to engage with technology critically and assess more ethical applications. Without this understanding, young people may be unprepared to question or improve the AI systems that shape their world.

Educating students about AI also prepares them to tackle the political implications of an AI-driven society. Innovations have always created new political problems. For example, the rapid expansion of the internet just a few decades ago created the political issue of disparities in the public’s access to the vital tool. Political controversies surrounding AI are already emerging. Integrating AI literacy and ethics into school curriculums means fostering a generation of informed citizens who can contribute to shaping an equitable technological future. It equips them with the tools to advocate within the political sphere for transparency, fairness and accountability in AI development and usage.

The call for integrating AI education into schools is urgent. AI is not just a tool of the future; it is the engine driving today’s innovation and decision-making. If we fail to prepare students to navigate this reality, we risk deepening inequalities and weakening the social foundations of our society. Teaching students about AI prepares them for successful careers, novel ethical issues and responsible political participation in a world increasingly governed by technology. We are not powerless, even in an era of unprecedented change. Concerned community members can and should use their voices by contacting local educators and officials to ask for an AI-conscious school curriculum. The time to act is now: Schools must prioritize AI in their curriculums to empower a generation ready to adapt to the future.

Jonah Toka Roberti is a first-year student from Maryland at Brown University studying international and public affairs.