THE IMPACT OF DIGITIZATION: FOSTERING MEDIA, NEWS, DIGITAL, CRITICAL DATA, AND AI LITERACIES

This paper examines the challenges and opportunities in fostering AI literacy within Bulgaria and the broader Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. It emphasizes the importance of foundational literacies—media, news, digital, and critical data—as critical enablers for developing comprehensive AI literacy. The paper highlights key initiatives, including workshops at the University of Economics – Varna, AI-enhanced teaching tools like ChatGPT, and microcredentialing programs aimed at preparing students for AI-driven job markets. Despite these efforts, challenges such as institutional resistance, limited funding, and language barriers persist. Recommendations for coordinated strategies to address these gaps and build sustainable frameworks for AI literacy education are shared, aiming for an effective engagement by academia and society with the opportunities and challenges of an AI-integrated future.