What is Critical (about) AI Literacy? Exploring Conceptualizations Present in AI Literacy Discourse

AI literacy commonly refers to essential skills and knowledge needed in a world where AI is ubiquitous. This work explores the literature on AI literacy, aiming to understand how AI literacy is defined and described. Our analysis teases out themes embedded in AI literacy definitions and their implications from a critical perspective. More specifically, our work highlights how current definitions of AI literacy enable individuals to engage with AI concepts, applications, and ethical implications of the wider socio-technological system. We analyze literature about AI literacy, employing thematic analysis to identify the skills, motivations, perspectives, and assumptions that underpin these conceptualizations of AI literacy. Our findings reveal that while current definitions of AI literacy acknowledge the need for understanding AI and its ethical implications, they often fall short in suggesting how this understanding can help learners critically examine AI, its impact on the socio-technological ecosystem in which it is embedded, and imagine alternatives to current AI practices.