With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), the network literacy education for college students is generally confronted with numerous dilemmas including information overload, rampant false information, internet addiction and privacy leakage. Against the backdrop of the AI era, this study thoroughly analyzes the existing problems, challenges and practical predicaments of college students’ network literacy education. From the dimensions of innovating curriculum systems, strengthening practical education, improving teachers’ professional competence and optimizing collaborative governance mechanisms, it explores a comprehensive and multi-layered educational path to cultivate college students’ network literacy. This research aims to enhance college students’ network literacy, advance online ideological and political education, facilitate their sound development amid the digital revolution, and provide theoretical support and practical references for network literacy education in colleges and universities.