A special subcommittee of the Central Council for Education has outlined a proposal to significantly expand information education in elementary and junior high schools as part of the deliberations for the next set of national curriculum guidelines. The aim is to prepare students for the AI ​​era, with a curriculum that places strong emphasis on media literacy.
In short, the goal is to equip them with the ability to avoid being misled by fake information.
The ability to resist being deceived by fake information will become increasingly important in the future. If the children who will shape the next generation can acquire the skill to spot fake information, it will serve as a powerful asset in their lives within society.
At the same time, however, I hold a different view:
“Do people actually possess the level of literacy required to detect fake information in the age of AI?”
Even now, fake information has become incredibly sophisticated and is not easily detected. While fraudulent fake information is one thing, propaganda-style fake information—laden with political intent—is often so meticulously crafted that it far exceeds what can be countered merely by improving literacy. Fake information deployed by factions seeking to dismantle democracy is said to be generated by absolute experts in information manipulation; they subtly disseminate fabrications that appear to be unassailable truths, plunging democratic societies into turmoil. Their techniques are truly masterful—and, for that very reason, deeply unsettling.
As is well known, democratic societies are teetering on the brink of collapse due to division and chaos, and the covert spread of fake information has played a significant role in this.
I believe the essence of media literacy begins with the recognition that fake information cannot always be detected. In the AI ​​era, distinguishing between authentic and fake information will likely become nearly impossible. Given this reality, the only path forward is to gather information from as many perspectives as possible, thoughtfully organize it using one’s own intellect, distinguish between the real and the fake based on one’s own judgment, and then make decisions and take action with conviction. (Kei Kitajima)

※Translating Japanese articles into English with AI