Conceptualizing How to Design for AI Literacy through Game Artifacts

Abstract

AI literacy is an emerging research area that increasingly incorporates new forms of computational intelligence, creating opportunities to enrich human learning and interactive experiences. Our scoping review examines design interventions and discourses within AI literacy and games to identify and characterize the learning experiences that prior research has sought to support. Drawing from 45 papers, we identified and analyzed 48 unique design artifacts, including game‑based learning prototypes and gamified systems. We constructed a comprehensive matrix charting each artifact's game or gamification approach, platform, AI literacy focus, game design elements, player requirements, modality, and open‑source availability, providing a detailed view of how AI literacy is represented across these systems. Building on this matrix, we identify nine design suggestions that illustrate how specific design choices shape learners' knowledge, skills, and experiences with AI. Our work clarifies game‑based AI literacy interventions and offers actionable suggestions for designing future systems that effectively leverage games and gamification to support AI learning.