Investigation of the artificial intelligence literacy perception levels of information technology teachers

This study aims to evaluate the Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy perception levels of 158 Information Technology (IT) teachers working across Turkey. Given the rapid spread of AI technologies in education, similar to other fields, teachers' skills in utilizing these technologies have become crucial. Measuring the AI literacy levels of IT teachers, who serve as guides for students' technology interactions, is a fundamental requirement for the healthy progression of digital concepts in education.The study employed a quantitative approach using a relational screening model. The sample consisted of 158 IT teachers serving at various educational levels across Turkey. The Artificial Intelligence Literacy Scale, developed by Polatgil and Güler (2023) and comprising four sub-dimensions (awareness, utilization, evaluation, ethics), was used as the data collection tool. Descriptive statistics and parametric tests were used for data analysis.The results indicate that teachers' overall AI literacy perception levels are above the moderate level. No significant difference was found based on the gender and age variables. However, a significant difference was found based on the type of institution where they work, with teachers at the high school level showing lower literacy levels. Furthermore, teachers who use IT tools at an advanced level reported higher AI literacy perception levels.In conclusion, it is necessary to develop in-service training programs to enhance the AI literacy perception levels of IT teachers. It is also recommended to integrate AI-based competencies into educational environments and adopt policies that support the ethical, conscious, and effective use of AI technologies. This study is expected to contribute to digital transformation processes in education and pave the way for new research in teacher training.