Artificial Intelligence Competencies for Twenty-First-Century Teachers: A Conceptual Framework for Teacher Readiness in AI-Enabled Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into education through generative tools, adaptive platforms, automated assessment, learning analytics, and intelligent tutoring systems. However, effective AI-supported education depends on teachers’ understanding, evaluation, and purposeful use of these technologies. This conceptual review proposes the AI Teacher Readiness Competency Framework (AITRCF) for twenty-first-century educators. Based on a structured review of UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework for Teachers, DigCompEdu, the TPACK model, NEP 2020, and recent AI research, the framework identifies six competencies across three dimensions: foundational readiness (AI literacy and ethical use), pedagogical readiness (AI-enabled teaching and data-informed decision-making), and professional readiness (critical evaluation of AI tools and continuous learning). The paper emphasizes that teachers must address AI limitations, data privacy, bias, and responsible classroom use while fostering students’ critical thinking. It also highlights the need for institutional support, infrastructure, equitable access, and policy reforms to ensure effective, ethical, and human-centered integration of AI in education.