Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming economies, public services, and governance systems around the world.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming economies, public services, and governance
systems around the world. Governments are increasingly required to make policy decisions
about AI adoption, regulation, and oversight. Yet in many countries, particularly across the
Global South, policymakers often lack the foundational knowledge needed to understand how
AI systems function and what governance challenges they present. Limited AI literacy can lead
to weak regulatory responses, missed opportunities for innovation, and insufficient safeguards
against risks such as algorithmic bias, data misuse, and opaque automated decision-making.
This policy brief draws on lessons from AI literacy masterclasses implemented by Qhala Trust
in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. These programs brought together policymakers,
regulators, and public sector leaders in interactive workshops designed to demystify AI
technologies and explore their governance implications. Each program engaged between 30
and 60 participants and was delivered in partnership with governments, universities,
development organizations, and foundations. The analysis presented in this brief is based on
observations from these training sessions, participant feedback, facilitator reflections, and
recurring patterns of knowledge gaps and learning outcomes observed across multiple
workshops.
The experience of these programs highlights several key insights. First, many policymakers
initially struggle to distinguish AI from broader digital technologies such as automation or
digitization, limiting their ability to identify the specific risks associated with AI systems.
Second, participatory and experiential learning approaches, including case studies, policy
simulations, and structured discussions, proved significantly more effective than lecture-based
teaching in improving policymakers閳ワ拷 understanding of AI governance challenges. Third, the use
of accessible language and policy-oriented explanations is essential when introducing AI
concepts to non-technical audiences. Sessions that relied heavily on technical terminology or
complex explanations often reduced engagement and comprehension.
Importantly, the programs also demonstrated that AI literacy initiatives can catalyze broader
national policy conversations. In several workshops, discussions evolved from basic AI
concepts to questions about national AI strategies, regulatory frameworks, and institutional
readiness for AI governance. These experiences suggest that AI literacy programs can serve
as important entry points for governments seeking to develop comprehensive AI governance
approaches.
The brief concludes that strengthening AI literacy among policymakers is an essential step
toward responsible AI governance. To achieve this, governments and partners should
institutionalize AI literacy training within public sector training institutions, strengthen multistakeholder partnerships for AI capacity building, expand experiential learning approaches in
policymaker training, and promote broader AI literacy initiatives that extend beyond
government to the wider public.
