Keywords
Smart buildings
Inclusive design
Digital energy literacy
Human–AI interaction
Algorithmic transparency
Equitable technology adoption
Categories
How to Cite
Abstract
The rapid rise of smart building technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and dynamic pricing systems is transforming energy use from a passive to an interactive process. While these innovations promise efficiency and sustainability, they also introduce new digital, cognitive, and ethical demands for building occupants. Traditional models of energy literacy, framed around cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions, no longer capture the competencies required in AI-driven systems. To address this gap, this article introduces the Digital Energy Literacy for Equitable Adoption (DEL-EQ) framework, which extends classical energy literacy by adding four critical dimensions: comprehension, interpretation, agency, and trust & ethics. A narrative and integrative literature review highlights how these dimensions interact with moderating factors at the individual, technological, and community levels. The novelty of DEL-EQ lies in situating digital energy literacy as both a technical and a justice-oriented capacity, thereby bridging social science and engineering perspectives. The framework offers actionable policy implications, including literacy thresholds, AI explainability, community-based training, and inclusive design. DEL-EQ thus provides scholars, designers, and policymakers with a conceptual foundation for preventing digital energy inequality and fostering the equitable adoption of smart building technologies.
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