Award-winning UK-based artificial intelligence expert and speaker Uchenna Victor Moses has called for a more practical and inclusive approach to AI literacy, arguing that current conversations around artificial intelligence often exclude ordinary people who simply want to use the technology effectively in everyday life.
Speaking at a TEDx event hosted by the University of Greater Manchester, Moses challenged the growing perception that AI is only relevant to software developers, engineers, or highly technical professionals. Instead, he urged educators, institutions, and organisations to rethink how AI knowledge is delivered so that it becomes accessible, relevant, and useful to wider communities.
“AI literacy today is fragmented, technical, and not accessible to everyday people,” he told the audience. “We are teaching it in a way that excludes more people than it includes.”
At the centre of his presentation was a new framework called the “AI Literacy Compass,” designed to help people understand artificial intelligence according to their needs, responsibilities, and level of engagement rather than through a rigid technical hierarchy.
Unlike traditional learning pathways that often focus heavily on coding and advanced engineering concepts, the compass adopts a cyclical and inclusive structure. Moses explained that the framework recognises the different ways people interact with AI across workplaces, education, business, governance, and everyday life.
The model is divided into four categories: the Curious Explorer, Beginner Builder, Aspiring Developer, and Change Maker.
The Curious Explorer represents everyday users who need a basic understanding of AI, including areas such as privacy, safety, and responsible use. The Beginner Builder focuses on those using AI tools for practical tasks such as drafting emails, creating content, organising workflows, or improving productivity.
The Aspiring Developer category is aimed at individuals working alongside technical teams to help solve real-world problems through AI-driven solutions, while the Change Maker focuses on governance, ethics, policy, and responsible oversight.
Importantly, Moses stressed that the framework should not be viewed as a ladder where one role is superior to another.
“This is not a ladder,” he said. “It’s a compass. Everyone has a place.”
He questioned whether many users genuinely need deep technical knowledge such as model architecture, retrieval-augmented generation, or complex AI systems in order to benefit from the technology.
“The real issue in AI literacy is not lack of knowledge,” he argued. “It is lack of relevance.”
Moses concluded by encouraging audiences to approach AI learning with curiosity rather than intimidation, insisting that practical understanding, confidence, and responsible use matter more than trying to master every technical detail.
As AI continues reshaping education, workplaces, and public services, calls for broader and more inclusive digital literacy are expected to intensify.
