Schools have been urged to teach children how to use AI from the age of 11 as the technology threatens to upend the jobs market.
Rather than wait for pupils to take up computer science at GCSE, the British Computer Society (BCS, The Chartered institute for IT) said all youngsters need to learn to work with tools like ChatGPT.
The professional body for computing wants a digital literary qualification to be introduced, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and its practical applications.
An understanding of AI should also become a key part of teacher training and headteacher qualifications, it added.
Julia Adamson MBE, director of education at the institute, said: "Young people need modern digital skills, like understanding how AI chatbots can help them in their life and career.
"But these aren't covered in the current GCSE, which is highly theoretical.
"The digital literacy options available need to change immediately, so the UK's teenagers don't get left behind."
