TL;DR
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Where do I even start with AI?” or “Am I actually progressing?”, then this post is for you.
I created and used this practical self-assessment grid and i hope it will help you as much as it it for me to :
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Reflect on where you are in your AI journey
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Identify what to focus on next
- Define an action plan
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Track your progress over time
Whether you’re brand new to AI or already experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, or Notion AI, this grid gives you a structured way to build confidence and stay intentional.
👉 Click here to copy the Google Sheet version of the AI Literacy Grid
How is this grid helping you build your AI literacy skills
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already realised just how important it is to build your AI literacy if you want to stay relevant and confident in your career. You know you need to upskill, but you also maybe struggle to build a solid plan to can those famous « AI skills » .
I was in your shoes too. When I started learning about AI, I had more questions than answers.
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What should I actually learn?
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Was I making progress or just dabbling?
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How would I know if I was “AI literate” or just playing with tools?
With the sheer amount of free resources available today, anyone can build AI literacy. The only real cost is your time. But ironically, that abundance of content can become overwhelming. It’s easy to lose your way—not knowing where to begin, what you still need to understand, or how far you’ve come.
I’m someone who needs a bit of structure. A visual dashboard. Something that not only guides me, but helps me see progress and feel a sense of achievement. You can read dozens of articles or listen to hours of podcasts, but if you’re not intentional—and if you don’t reflect on what you’ve actually learned—does it really move you forward?
So I decided to create my own learning matrix. A tool that brings clarity without pressure. One that doesn’t assume technical expertise, but still helps me build practical, meaningful skills I can use. First, I turned to the Critical AI Literacy framework from The Open University (2025). It’s thoughtful, inclusive, and aligned with how I believe we should all be learning right now: with intention, awareness, and a lot of humility. I then adapted their framework into something actionable, a self-assessment grid anyone can use.
What’s inside the grid?
The grid is broken down into 6 key areas of AI literacy:
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AI Concepts & Applications
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Learning & Thinking with AI
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AI Ethics
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AI Creativity
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AI in Society
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AI Careers & Practice
Each section includes clear learning checkpoints — like:
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Do I understand the difference between AI and GenAI?
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Can I write a clear, specific prompt?
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Have I explored the risks of bias or misinformation in tools I use?
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Do I know how AI could impact my industry or job role?
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Have I helped others learn or apply AI responsibly?
You can rate your confidence from 1 (not confident) to 5 (very confident), and there’s space to reflect or set next steps. You also have a level which will help you define your priorities based on a the AI literacy you aim to achieve.
More importantly: this framework is not fixed. As you progress your journey there are some areas you will get more interested in that you might want to add. It’s just a base and you can fully personalise it to your own AI literacy path.
Who is this AI literacy self-assessement for?
Honestly? This is for anyone who wants to build meaningful AI literacy and build a better understanding of how to use AI responsibly, creatively, and thoughtfully.
It’s especially useful if:
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You’re new to AI and don’t know where to begin
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You’ve played with tools but want to get more intentional
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You’re leading a team and want to spark structured learning
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You want to feel in control of how AI fits into your work or career
You can use it solo, or with your team during retros, workshops, or upskilling sessions.
How to use this AI literacy checklist
Start with honesty
Complete your confidence as soon as you get a copy. Be true to yourself and remember you’re not being tested. This is just a way to check in with yourself. Use it as a guide to define areas you need to focus on the most.
Pick areas to focus on this month
Maybe it’s prompting, maybe it’s ethics, maybe it’s just exploring what AI means in your field. Pick and define your next steps to gain knowledge and capabilities in those areas.
Revisit monthly
Track what’s changed. Celebrate progress. Reflect on what’s still unclear. That’s where your next learning moment is.
Share it with others
You’ll be amazed how many people are figuring this out too. Use it in your next team check-in or peer learning group.
Get the grid
📄 Click here to copy the Google Sheet version of the AI Literacy Grid
It’s free to use, adapt, and share.
Let it be your learning roadmap, your reflection tool, or your monthly nudge to stay curious — whatever works best for you.
Final Thought
AI literacy isn’t a finish line. It’s a muscle you build over time.
This grid isn’t about being perfect or technical. It’s about becoming the kind of person who learns out loud, reflects often, and leads with awareness.
And wherever you are right now — that’s a great place to start.
