Dean interviews Kate Arthur about what it means for a skill to become a “literacy” and why AI literacy must build on foundational reading, writing, and numeracy alongside access to networks, tools, and skills. Arthur shares her nontraditional education path, 25 years at the intersection of tech, communications, and education, and how classroom moments like students using Siri pushed her to connect literacy with AI’s growing presence. They discuss integrating AI learning across subjects rather than isolating it, the risk of focusing on tools over outcomes like critical thinking, and concerns about widening divides when basic literacy gaps persist. Arthur describes a shift from an attention economy to an attachment economy in generative AI, the ethics of human–machine relationships, and the need to democratize AI knowledge currently concentrated among a few leaders. She also recounts lobbying that secured $6M for youth skills education and emphasizes community-driven change.
 00:00 What Makes Literacy
 01:06 Meet Kate Arthur
03:06 Kate’s Education Journey
04:57 Stumbling Into AI
07:09 Defining AI Literacy
11:17 Frameworks And Gaps
14:35 Teaching Across Subjects
16:52 Tools Versus Skills
19:17 Best Case AI Future
22:25 Screens Bans And Balance
26:37 From Attention To Attachment
30:33 AI Relationship Guilt
31:39 Depth Versus Shallow
33:11 Humans Versus Chatbots
38:50 Innovation At Risk
40:41 Proudest Career Moments
42:00 Lobbying For Education
45:35 How Lobbying Works
48:45 Leadership And Mentors
54:37 Montreal Hidden Gem