AI literacy as a crucial skill in the digital age
AI expert Meike Nauta, winner of the prestigious KIVI Prince Friso Engineering Prize, advocates for a mindset shift in AI adoption.
Published on March 15, 2025
Meike Nauta, © Bart van Overbeeke
Bart, co-founder of Media52 and Professor of Journalism oversees IO+, events, and Laio. A journalist at heart, he keeps writing as many stories as possible.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, yet many people lack the fundamental knowledge to engage with it responsibly and effectively. Dr. Meike Nauta, Senior AI Consultant and Business Development Manager at Datacation and Assistant Professor at TU Eindhoven and Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS), is on a mission to change that.
Her focus? AI literacy, not just understanding how AI works, but developing the skills and awareness to use it responsibly. "With great power comes great responsibility," Nauta said, referencing Spider-Man in a talk she held last week. "AI has this big power, how can we make sure that we also use it responsibly?" Her talk was part of a seminar at the High Tech Campus AI Innovation Center on the implementation of the AI Act, organized by LegalAir.
Her company, Datacation, based at Eindhoven’s High Tech Campus, trains organizations in AI fundamentals, identifying opportunities, risk awareness, ethical considerations, and technical skills such as prompt engineering. The goal is to cultivate an 'AI mindset,' one that actively scans for opportunities while also recognizing risks in real time.
Bridging the gap: awareness and application
Nauta sees AI literacy as a multi-layered challenge. "The true barrier is not just the technical possibilities of AI, it’s how people integrate it into their organizations," she explained. AI adoption is about acquiring tools and fostering a shift in mindset. "It’s about developing a constant radar - an AI mindset - that helps you recognize where AI can support your work and where caution is needed."
This shift is especially relevant in light of the EU AI Act, which sets strict regulations on AI deployment. Nauta emphasized that organizations must differentiate between different levels of AI risk: "Whether you're developing AI or simply using AI tools, you must understand the associated risks. Privacy, security, and bias are critical concerns."
She also highlighted the importance of continuous education: "AI literacy is not static. AI is evolving rapidly, and so should our knowledge. You can’t just do one training, check a box, and think you’re done."
Empathy and social Impact: The KIVI Prize recognition
Nauta’s dedication to making AI accessible and responsible was recently recognized with the KIVI Prince Friso Engineering Prize. The jury praised her for her "strong responsibility to ensure that technical applications also reach society" and her "intrinsic motivation to make AI understandable to everyone."
Her work extends beyond corporate training. She was involved in the Boekbot initiative for the Eindhoven Library, which uses AI to help young readers discover books suited to their interests, fostering a love for reading. Such initiatives demonstrate her belief that AI should serve society, not just business.
Meike Nauta (Datacation) wins the Prince Friso Engineering Prize
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A call to action for businesses and individuals
Nauta urges companies and individuals to take AI literacy seriously. "Every organization needs to assess what level of AI literacy is necessary at different levels: top management, teams, and individuals," she advised. "A chatbot on your website isn’t just an automated tool; it’s an AI system interacting with clients, and that comes with ethical and legal responsibilities."
She encourages companies to move beyond seeing AI as a mere technological upgrade. "It’s about culture. It’s about embedding AI awareness across your entire organization."
As AI continues to shape our world, experts like Dr. Meike Nauta are ensuring that it does so in a way that is responsible, ethical, and accessible to all. Her message is clear: AI literacy is not optional, it’s essential for navigating the future.
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