Ethical AI Isn’t Just a Buzzword, It Is a Necessary Safeguard

How do you envision readers applying the READS, WRITES, ADDS, THINKS, and DOES framework in their daily work or personal projects, and what specific benefits can they expect to see?

The READS-WRITES-ADDS-THINKS-DOES framework is designed to simplify AI literacy and make it actionable for everyone—from students to CEOs. It is borrowed from the framework you would use to get literate in any language – English, Telugu, French, whatever. Imagine using READS to instantly summarize long documents or translate content in real time; WRITES to create blog posts, presentations, or even marketing campaigns; ADDS to analyze data, automate tasks, and make smarter decisions; THINKS to brainstorm ideas, plan strategies, or develop new products; and DOES to delegate tasks to AI agents for execution. By applying these layers, anyone can boost productivity, enhance creativity, and improve decision-making. It’s like gaining a superpower and a second brain for work and life - whether you’re a teacher designing lessons with AI, a lawyer researching case law, or a student organizing your studies. Each level builds your fluency and confidence in using AI as a true collaborator.

As AI continues to evolve rapidly, how do you see the concept of AI literacy changing in the next few years, and what skills do you believe will become essential for professionals and individuals to stay ahead?

We believe that the definition of literacy will change from reading, writing, and arithmetic, to all this plus using AI tools and agents naturally and innately, the same way we use language. AI literacy will shift from being a “nice-to-have” to a basic, must-have life skill, much like reading, writing, adding, and subtracting. Initially, it meant knowing how to use tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity, or Gemini. But in the near future, it will include understanding how AI makes decisions, how to write effective prompts, and how to assess the credibility of AI-generated content. Key emerging skills will include prompt engineering, critical thinking to spot “hallucinations” or biases in AI outputs, and the ability to collaborate with AI agents in dynamic, real-time environments. Equally important will be soft skills—like empathy, curiosity, and creativity—which AI can’t replicate. In India especially, where millions are entering the workforce, AI literacy will be essential to stay employable and competitive.

The book touches on the importance of understanding AI ethics and keeping data safe. Can you elaborate on some key ethical considerations that individuals and organizations should be aware of when implementing AI solutions?

Ethical AI isn’t just a buzzword, it is a necessary safeguard. As the book highlights, key concerns include privacy, bias, environmental impact, and misuse of AI. Deepfakes, data leaks, and discriminatory algorithms can cause real harm if not addressed responsibly. Individuals must be careful about what data they share with AI tools, and organizations need guardrails to prevent misuse. Transparency is essential; people should know when they’re interacting with AI, and how decisions are being made. Open-source models, explainable AI, and ethical audits will become critical. As India races ahead in AI adoption, we must build systems that are not only powerful but also fair, safe, and inclusive.

You have highlighted tools like ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Perplexity, and Copilot. How do you see the role of these tools evolving in professional settings, and what best practices would you recommend for effectively collaborating with AI?

These tools are fast becoming co-pilots in our daily work. ChatGPT can help write reports, Perplexity can aid in advanced research, NotebookLM can organize your thoughts like a second brain, and Copilot can assist in coding and documentation. Their role will evolve from being assistants to intelligent collaborators taking on complex tasks, offering strategic insights, and even helping make decisions. To work well with them, treat AI like a sparring partner; ask the right questions, double-check the answers, and bring your own human creativity into the mix. The best practice? Don’t think through AI, think with it.

 There's a lot of discussion about AI potentially displacing jobs. Based on your experience and research, what types of jobs or industries do you believe are most at risk, and how can individuals prepare for these changes?

Jobs that are routine, repetitive, and rules-based—like basic coding, customer support, or data entry—are at the highest risk. GenAI tools can now perform many of these tasks faster and cheaper. But instead of fearing AI, the key is to adapt. As the book says, “It’s not AI that will take your job—it’s someone using AI who will.” So, the best preparation is to learn how to use these tools effectively. Upskill. Become AI-literate. Focus on what makes us uniquely human: empathy, insight, storytelling, curiosity, strategy, connection, and collaboration. These are the jobs that AI cannot replace.

One of the book's goals is to make AI more accessible. What advice would you give to individuals who might feel overwhelmed by the technical aspects of AI or who don't have a background in technology, but still want to become AI-literate?

Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a techie to be AI-literate. The beauty of today’s AI is that it works in human language. If you can write a sentence in English or any other language, you can use AI. The book offers step-by-step guides, real-world examples, and easy frameworks to help you get started. Begin with small wins: use ChatGPT to summarize an article or draft an email. Explore tools that match your work. Think of AI as your second brain or an extra set of hands. The journey from zero to literacy and fluency isn’t as hard as it seems—and the payoff is enormous.