As generative AI becomes more integrated into day-to-day work across WashU, staff need more than access to new tools. They also need the knowledge and judgment to use them effectively, responsibly and securely.
WashU IT’s AI literacy for staff roadmap is designed to build those capabilities over time, moving from foundational understanding to more practical application. The goal is to help staff develop confidence with AI while strengthening their ability to evaluate outputs, protect information, choose appropriate tools and apply AI thoughtfully in their work.
New resources now available through Workday Learning represent the next step in that roadmap.
“AI literacy is not something we can address with a single training. We’re building the program in stages so staff can develop a strong foundation and then continue building the skills and judgment needed to use AI effectively and responsibly in their work,” says Michelle Fuertes, Executive Director IT Digital Transformation.
Using AI with PHI at WashU teaches staff how to safely use AI tools with Protected Health Information (PHI), including what qualifies as PHI, which tools are approved, how to work with deidentified data, and how to request exceptions for needed tools. It also reinforces that vendor HIPAA claims do not equal WashU approval and that security controls should never be bypassed.
Using AI with Copyright-Protected Data at WashU focuses on the responsible use of copyrighted and library-licensed materials with AI. The training explains how license terms can affect the use of journal articles, e-books, datasets and other protected content, and why staff should evaluate those terms before sharing materials with an AI tool.
For those using Claude, the Using Claude Edu at WashU program offers a deeper learning experience focused on using the platform effectively and responsibly. Drawing on curated content from Anthropic Academy, the program ranges from getting started with Claude Edu and responsible AI practices to hands-on learning with Claude chat, Claude Code, agents and subagents, and Claude Cowork.
The new learning also reflects the continued growth and visibility of WashU’s enterprise AI ecosystem. This fall, Claude Edu has taken on a more prominent role for faculty and staff, as well as Danforth students, increasing awareness of and engagement with generative AI across the university. WashU has also introduced Claude Secure, a separate environment for faculty and staff approved for use with WashU Protected Health Information.
As AI capabilities and use cases continue to expand, the literacy roadmap will grow with them. Future learning is expected to go deeper into responsible AI in practice, including bias, transparency and human oversight; more advanced prompting and evaluation of AI-generated output; and tool-specific learning that helps staff build practical skills with the AI technologies available at WashU.
The progression moves from understanding AI, to working with AI, to applying AI in meaningful ways — giving staff a foundation they can continue building on as the technology evolves.
Fuertes sees that progression as just the beginning.
“This is still just the beginning. AI is changing quickly, and our approach to AI literacy will continue to evolve with it. We want to give staff a strong foundation today while continuing to build learning opportunities that help them develop deeper skills and apply AI in meaningful ways in their work.”