11th German-Brazilian Dialogue on Science, Research and Innovation

Watch the talk on “AI in the Humanities” by Prof. Christoph Burchard, founder of the C³S at Goethe University Frankfurt, here.

Abstract:

Critical Computational Literacy (CCL) emerges as a transformative educational framework essential for meaningful engagement in post-digital societies, characterized by the seamless integration of computational technologies into everyday life. Going beyond traditional computational literacy and AI literacy paradigms, CCL explicitly integrates ethical, cultural, and biographical perspectives, proposing a reciprocal intertwining of technical proficiency and critical awareness. CCL equips individuals and communities with the ABC of C’nC —Attitude, Biography, and Capacity— enabling them to ethically and proactively navigate digital infrastructures and critically reflect upon technology's pervasive impact on social, political, and cultural realities.

Recognizing digital inequalities, CCL explicitly addresses and reflects upon the digital divide. By accounting for diverse biographies and socio-economic contexts, CCL fosters inclusive educational practices that empower marginalized communities, thereby mitigating gaps in digital access, competency, and critical engagement. Furthermore, in alignment with the European Union's AI Act, CCL integrates AI literacy not merely as an educational aspiration but as a legal and regulatory obligation. By building on the EU AI Act’s definition — emphasizing informed deployment, awareness of AI opportunities and risks, and the understanding of potential harms — CCL deepens this perspective by embedding comprehensive ethical deliberations into computational curricula.

Drawing upon interdisciplinary theoretical foundations from Science and Technology Studies (STS) and educational science, CCL conceptualizes computational systems as culturally and historically situated, subject to human actions and societal norms. This holistic view encourages lifelong learning, biographical reflection, and critical participation, thereby preparing learners to thoughtfully address contemporary global and technological challenges. Through innovative educational methods, including immersive simulations, interdisciplinary case studies, and practical ethical inquiry, CCL promotes robust critical competencies and a proactive stance toward technology. Ultimately, this framework offers a powerful educational model designed not only to enhance individual computational proficiency but also to foster critical, equitable, and ethically grounded engagement in shaping collective digital futures.

🗓 Thursday, May 8 2025
🕛 13:40 to 14:00
📍 FAPESP, São Paolo, Brazil