Bridging AI Literacy Skill Sets Gap: A Critical Priority Now and the Future in Developing Countries
Wesley O. Odumu1 and Edu Bassey Enya2
1Department of Computer Engineering, School of Engineering Technology Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi. Plateau State (writeodeh@yahoo.com, +2348035988003).
2Department of Engineering, NTA Television College Rayfield Jos Plateau State. mysoneta@gmail.com, +2348026923648, +234805406464605
ABSTRACT
The leveraging of AI literacy in our world today has become expedient due to the growing demand AI plays in our daily lives. AI literacy is a set of competencies that enables individuals to critically evaluate AI technologies, communicate and collaborate effectively with AI; and use AI as a tool online, at home, and in the workplace. The impact of AI technologies in critical infrastructures such as energy, education, technology, agriculture and healthcare has become crucial particularly in developing countries and as such demands public knowledge to hone their skills for greater efficiency and opportunities. The need to bridge the gap between AI literacy skills set has become imperative due to the rising demand for know-how and shortage of personnel in acquiring hard skills; technically, industry-specific skills, programming skills, IT systems knowledge and soft skills like problem-solving and effective communication skills, lifelong learning (willing to learn, unlearn and relearn), and so on. Finding a blend of these skills in individuals is grossly inadequate and difficult to come by. This study is aimed at an AI literacy paradigm shift to bridge skills with emphasis’ on AI education, innovation with the help of case studies approach to showcase real-world applications as a corner-stone to close in this shortage in developing countries. It emphasizes the need for psychological readiness necessary to up-skill and re-skill, encouragement of diverse talent pipelines and collaboration with the government, public and private organizations and the academia to help address these skill gaps. This will inculcate confidence and know-how in developing countries necessary to build their AI capabilities to foster innovation, and create an enabling environment for a home-made AI adoption.  This will make developing countries keep pace with technological advancement and a player in the global market.
Keywords: AI Literacy, Bridging, Skill set, Developing Countries, Hard skill, soft skill
CITE AS: Wesley O. Odumu and Edu Bassey Enya (2025). Bridging AI Literacy Skill Sets Gap: A Critical Priority Now and the Future in Developing Countries. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES, 6(1):16-26. https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJSES/2025/61.1626