AI Literacy Framework

ALiF 2.0 Ecosystem Map

Four layers, from defining what AI literacy is to how institutions adopt it. Two cross-cutting systems span all layers: governance infrastructure and organizational learning debt theory. Each layer evolves independently. Changes propagate downward only.

ALiF 2.0 is in development. The current published Standard is v1.0r1. The proposed ALiF 2.0 keeps the five components, sixteen sub-competencies and three levels, and adds new conformance requirements, including data literacy first and a Learning Conditions Statement for organizations. Public consultation opens on 2 November 2026 and closes on 1 January 2027. Release is planned for the second quarter of 2027. ·
Layer 1
The ALiF Standard
Defines what AI literacy is. Five components, three progression levels, sixteen sub-competencies, role adaptation principles, and conformance requirements. The foundation everything else builds against.
Major: 3–5 yrs · Minor: Annual
Core Artifacts
◆ ALiF Standard v1.0r1 CURRENT
◆ 5 Components TEC · EVA · PRA · ETH · DAT
◆ 3 Levels L1 · L2 · L3
◆ 16 Sub-Competencies
◆ Conformance Requirements NORMATIVE
◇ ALiF Standard v2.0 IN DEVELOPMENT · CONSULTATION 2 NOV 2026 – 1 JAN 2027 NEW
◇ Data Literacy First (DAT co-requisite) PROPOSED FOR v2.0 NEW
◇ Learning Conditions Statement PROPOSED FOR v2.0 NEW
Companion Documents
● Implementation Pathway Model v1.0
● Institutional Adoption Guide v1.0
○ Competency Framework v2
○ Concept Paper v2
○ Development Protocol v1
○ Standard Content Blocks
◇ Arabic Localisation Protocol PLANNED
◇ Government Mandate Design Guide DRAFT v1.0 · v2.0 IN DEVELOPMENT
Research Publications
◈ ALiF Protocol Paper PUBLISHED · PREPRINTS
⊘ OLD Concept Paper UNDER REVIEW · PLOS ONE
◇ ALiF Framework Introduction Paper PLANNED · C&E
Layer 2
Measurement Ecosystem
Instruments classified on three axes: construct alignment (Direct / Complementary / Adjacent), assessment method (Self-Report / Mixed / Observation), and unit of analysis (Individual / Team / Organisation). Registered via Instrument Registry Template v1.2.
Moderate · Per validation cycle
Direct — Individual
● ALiF SAQ v2 DIRECT · SELF-REPORT · INDIVIDUAL · PHASE 1 VALIDATION
○ SAQ Administrator Guide v2
○ SAQ Respondent Form v2
Direct — Organisation
◇ OLD Maturity Assessment (OLD-MA) DIRECT · MIXED · ORGANISATION · WORKSHOP-BASED DRAFT v1.0
Adjacent — Organisation
◇ OLD Infrastructure & Culture Audit (OLD-ICA) ADJACENT · OBSERVATION · ORGANISATION DRAFT v1.0
Complementary & Referenced
◈ HP Readiness Survey (RDS) COMPLEMENTARY · SELF-REPORT · REFERENCED
◈ HE Readiness Assessment COMPLEMENTARY · SELF-REPORT · REFERENCED
Layer 3
Program Ecosystem
Learning experiences that develop ALiF competencies. Each program documents ALiF components addressed, progression levels targeted, roles served, and OLD debt dimensions engaged. Programs delivered via ALiF Nexus Platform.
Frequent · Continuous updates
Foundation Programs
◆ AI Launchpad Course 2–3 HRS · ALL ROLES
● AI Launchpad v2 20–25 HRS · L1–L2 · ALL ROLES
FAIM (Foundation of AI Mastery, role-specific): in development
◇ FAIM Foundation Course IN DEVELOPMENT · DESIGNED FOR ALiF 2.0 NEW
◇ FAIM Learner Pathway IN DEVELOPMENT
◇ FAIM Educator Pathway IN DEVELOPMENT
◇ FAIM Researcher Pathway IN DEVELOPMENT
◇ FAIM Clinician Pathway IN DEVELOPMENT
◇ FAIM Administrator Pathway IN DEVELOPMENT
Advanced & Leadership Programs
● SAIL Leadership Track LEADERS · ETH · PRA · L2–L3
◇ PRIME Mastery Tracks ADVANCED · L3 DESIGN PLAN
Platform
◆ ALiF Nexus Platform DELIVERY · ASSESSMENT · COMPETENCY GATING · TRACKING
Layer 4
Policy & Adoption
Institutional and governmental adoption. Implementations classified as Conforming or Aligned per ALiF Standard v1.0r1 conformance requirements. Adoption logged in the Adoption Register. Governance transition triggers apply at 2+ jurisdiction adoptions.
Variable · Driven by adopters
Adoption Governance
○ Adoption Charter Template
○ Adoption Register MAINTAINED BY CORE TEAM
Planned
◇ Framework Concordance Tables PLANNED
◇ Government Adoption Playbook PLANNED
◇ Governance Advisory Council TRIGGERED AT 2+ JURISDICTIONS
Governance Infrastructure — Cross-Cutting
The constitutional documents governing how all four layers operate. Defines naming conventions, endorsement tiers, three-axis instrument classification, version management, contribution pathways, and instrument registration. These artifacts govern the ecosystem; they don't live inside any single layer.
Architecture Document v1.2
Versioning & Review Policy v2.0 (early review 1 Oct 2026) NEW
Instrument Registry Template v1.2
ALiF 2.0 Ecosystem Map
Publication Plan
L1 → Standard versioning and companion doc governance
L2 → Three-axis instrument classification and registry
L3 → Program naming and endorsement tiers
L4 → Adoption register and conformance tracking
Organizational Learning Debt: cross-cutting theory
PLOS ONE · Under peer review
Explains why organizations accumulate a compounding gap between AI deployment and learning capacity. Four interlocking dimensions, six testable propositions, and a 16-item diagnostic instrument (OLDD). Operates across all layers: provides the theoretical rationale (L1), generates measurement constructs (L2), reframes program design via debt-dimension metadata (L3), and supplies the adoption risk framework (L4).
Capability
Infrastructure
Cultural
Gov. & Pipeline
L1 → Organizational-level theory + DAT Minimum Threshold Principle
L2 → OLD-MA & OLD-ICA instruments + OLDD diagnostic (16 items)
L3 → Debt-dimension program metadata
L4 → Adoption risk assessment lens

Research Pipeline

Published
ALiF Protocol Paper
Framework development methodology. Published on Preprints.org (Nov 2024).
Under Review
OLD Conceptual Article
Organizational learning debt framework. Submitted to PLOS ONE with medRxiv preprint strategy.
Active
SAQ Validation — Phase 1
Content validity, expert panel review (n=5–10), cognitive testing (n=10), pilot (n=20–30), and exploratory factor analysis of ALiF-SAQ v2.
Planned
Framework Introduction Paper
Comprehensive ALiF introduction. Target: Computers & Education.
Planned
SAQ Validation — Phase 2
Confirmatory factor analysis (n≥300), measurement invariance testing, criterion validity linking SAQ scores to AI tool use outcomes.
Planned
HC–HE Concordance Framework
Mapping ALiF components to major accreditation frameworks (NCAAA, CAA, WFME). Target: Q3 2026.

Where Do I Start?

Researcher
Start with
ALiF Standard v1.0r1 + Concept Paper v2
Then
Development Protocol → Instrument Registry → Research Protocol
Training Manager
Start with
Implementation Pathway Model
Then
ALiF-SAQ v2 for baseline → Select program pathway → Conformance checklist
Department Head / Dean
Start with
Institutional Adoption Guide v1.0
Then
Conforming vs Aligned decision → Adoption Charter → Contact core team
Instrument Developer
Start with
Architecture Document v1.2 (three-axis classification)
Then
Registry Template v1.2 → Submit registry entry → Endorsement review
Policy Maker
Start with
ALiF Standard (Scope + Conformance) + Versioning Policy
Then
OLD risk framework → Concordance tables → Adoption consultation

Legend

◆ Core artifact
● Active / deployed
○ Companion document
◈ Referenced (external)
◇ Planned
⊘ Under peer review
New in this edition

Endorsement Tiers

ALiF Core — developed by core team, full alignment
ALiF Endorsed — formally reviewed, documented alignment
ALiF Referenced — self-declared alignment, no formal review

Instrument Classification — Three Axes (Architecture Doc v1.2)

Axis 1 — Construct Alignment: Direct · Complementary · Adjacent
Axis 2 — Assessment Method: Self-Report · Mixed · Observation
Axis 3 — Unit of Analysis: Individual · Team · Organisation