TEACHER PREPAREDNESS AND STATISTICAL LITERACY FOR AI INTEGRATION IN EDUCATION

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education is transforming teaching, learning, and assessment practices across all levels of schooling. However, the effective use of AI tools in classrooms depends largely on teacher preparedness and their level of statistical literacy. Teachers are increasingly required to interpret data generated by AI systems, such as learning analytics, adaptive assessments, and predictive feedback tools. This chapter examines the importance of teacher preparedness for AI integration with a particular focus on statistical literacy as a foundational competency. It discusses conceptual dimensions of teacher preparedness, the role of statistical literacy in understanding AI-driven educational data, challenges faced by teachers, and strategies for strengthening capacity through pre-service and in-service professional development. The chapter argues that without adequate statistical literacy, teachers may struggle to critically engage with AI outputs, leading to ineffective or unethical pedagogical decisions. Strengthening teacher preparedness and statistical literacy is therefore essential for responsible, equitable, and meaningful AI integration in education.