Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This academic article examines the future directions for developing digital citizenship skills in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). The rapid transformation of AI technology since late 2022 has created a competency gap between existing digital citizenship frameworks and contemporary real-world requirements. This study analyzes the limitations of pre-AI frameworks, such as the ISTE Standards (2016) and the Council of Europe Framework (2019), which primarily address Web 2.0 challenges but fail to adequately cover emerging AI-era obstacles, including algorithmic bias, deepfakes, automated decision-making systems, and the digital divide. A comparative analysis of strategies from Thailand, Singapore, Finland, South Korea, and Canada reveals distinct emphases reflecting their respective economic and social contexts: Thailand employs a hybrid approach under the Digital Thailand framework; Singapore focuses on lifelong learning through "Digital Skills for Life"; Finland integrates multiliteracy as a transversal competence; while South Korea and Canada emphasize economic competitiveness and democratic values, respectively. The article proposes a new framework consisting of three core competencies: 1) AI Literacy—the ability to understand AI operating principles and their societal impacts; 2) Algorithmic Critical Thinking—the skills to evaluate and interrogate automated decision-making; and 3) Data Ethics Consciousness—an awareness of the ethical implications regarding data use and sharing. Regarding policy development, a tripartite governance model is proposed through collaboration among the government (as a regulator and supporter of independent research), the private sector (developing socially responsible technology), and civil society. Finally, the study suggests curriculum reform through active learning approaches, such as Inquiry-based Learning and Phenomenon-based Learning, to cultivate digital citizens prepared for the complexities of the forthcoming digital era.
Authors: Prammawong, Wachira, Phanphai, Pimprapa
Institution: Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University
Language: Thai
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7215596123