FutureReady! Artificial Intelligence Training FAQS

Future Ready! Artificial Intelligence Training is a learning program designed to help Ontario Tech employees build foundational understanding of AI and learn how to use approved or university-supported tools responsibly, safely and effectively in everyday work.

This training is designed for Ontario Tech employees across a range of roles and experience levels. No prior AI knowledge is required.

AI tools are becoming more common in workplace settings. This training helps employees understand what AI can and cannot do, how AI may support daily work, and how to use it responsibly while protecting privacy, data and institutional information.

The training is expected to develop gradually, beginning with generative AI basics and moving toward prompting and responsible use, AI in familiar software tools, and emerging topics such as agentic AI. 

Modules and resources will be updated and shared as they become available.

No. The training starts with foundational concepts and is intended to build baseline fluency and confidence.

The training is highly encouraged to support AI literacy and responsible use in the workplace. Participation expectations may vary by role, unit or future rollout plans.

Yes. The modules are designed to be self-directed and can be completed at a time that works for you, subject to any timelines or expectations shared by HR or your unit.

Training will reference approved or university-supported AI environments, including Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini where appropriate. Employees should follow ITS and university guidance on approved tools and access.

Consumer or free AI tools should not be used with personal, confidential or sensitive university information. Employees should use approved or university-supported tools and environments and follow current guidance from ITS, Privacy and the university.

If a tool is not listed as approved or university-supported, employees should not use it with personal, confidential or sensitive university information. AI tools may need to be reviewed for privacy, security, procurement, data protection, IP, vendor terms and other considerations before they can be recommended for university work.

To ask about a tool or request a review, contact:

[Insert review pathway/contact]

No. Different tools and license types may have different privacy, data protection, IP and vendor responsibility terms. Employees should follow university guidance and use approved or university-supported tools and environments for university work.

Employees should follow current university guidance on approved tools and use cases. Consumer/free AI tools should not be used with personal, confidential or sensitive university information. If ChatGPT or another AI system is available through an approved university arrangement, employees must still follow privacy, data-use, human oversight and decision-support guidance.

AI tools can differ in how they handle data, whether user inputs are used for model training, where information is stored, what contractual protections apply, how outputs may be used, and whether the vendor accepts responsibility for certain risks. Review helps ensure tools are appropriate for university work before they are recommended.

Employees should not enter personal, confidential or sensitive university information into AI tools unless they are using an approved environment and the use is appropriate. Employees should follow current university privacy, data-use and platform guidance.

No. AI can support drafting, summarizing, organizing information or analysis, but humans remain responsible for decisions, final outputs and actions. AI should not be used for automated final decision-making that has legal, financial, academic, employment, human rights or other consequential impacts on individuals.

Yes. AI-generated outputs can be inaccurate, incomplete, biased or misleading. Employees are responsible for reviewing and validating outputs before using them.

Employees should also review AI-generated content for appropriateness, copyright/IP concerns, privacy considerations and alignment with university expectations before using, sharing or publishing it.

Privacy and security are core parts of the training. AI tools and vendors are being reviewed for issues such as data ownership, personal information, sensitive data handling, security, access controls, retention, deletion and whether institutional data may be used to train models.

The employee training builds from an existing GenAI literacy foundation already available to Ontario Tech learners. The student-facing module focuses on helping learners understand how GenAI functions, evaluate when and how to use it, assess the quality of outputs, and apply practical strategies in academic work. The employee version adapts those same principles for workplace and administrative tasks, approved tools, privacy and security expectations, and responsible employee use.

No. The employee training builds from the same GenAI literacy foundation, but it is being adapted for workplace use. The employee version focuses more on workplace use cases, approved university-supported tools, privacy and security, institutional data, human accountability and practical examples relevant to Ontario Tech roles.

Each module includes practical examples and use cases relevant to a range of university roles to help employees translate learning into action.

Yes. This program is intended to provide a foundation, with additional sessions and resources planned to support continued learning as generative AI and agentic AI capabilities continue to evolve.

For questions about the training program, contact:

hrtraining@ontariotechu.ca

For technical questions about platform access, contact:

itservices@ontariotechu.ca

For privacy or data-use questions, contact:

accessandprivacy@ontariotechu.ca