Preparing students for living in an AI infused world: Revisiting the outcomes of STEM education

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping science, work, and daily life, presenting both profound opportunities and complex challenges for education. This chapter examines how K–12 science education can prepare students to thrive in an AI-infused world. Drawing on recent research and existing AI literacy frameworks, we propose a detailed, science-specific framework of educational outcomes. Specifically, our framework emphasizes three interrelated domains: knowing about AI, applying AI tools, and critically evaluating and reflecting on AI’s uses and impacts. Grounded in the traditions of inquiry-based learning and scientific literacy, we argue that fostering student agency, adaptability, and ethical considerations is essential for navigating the uncertainties of technological change. Rather than focusing solely on technical proficiency, our framework situates AI learning within broader social, scientific, and epistemological contexts. We contend that coherent, developmentally appropriate learning progressions are necessary to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that will empower students to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with AI across diverse spheres of their lives.