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AI Training

FutureReady! Artificial Intelligence Training

Overview

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday work across sectors, including post-secondary education. At Ontario Tech, we are taking a thoughtful, responsible and human-centred approach to helping employees understand AI and use approved tools safely and effectively. 

Future Ready! Artificial Intelligence Training is designed to help Ontario Tech employees build AI literacy, understand responsible and ethical use, and identify practical ways AI can support daily work. 

Whether you are just getting started or looking to deepen your skills, this training provides a clear, practical foundation and real-world applications tailored to roles in higher education. 

The program will continue to evolve as new modules, tools, guidance and resources become available.

Get started

Access your AI Training program and begin learning at your own pace.

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New modules and resources will be added as they become available. 

Why this training matters

AI tools can help support many everyday tasks, including drafting, summarizing, organizing information, preparing meeting materials, supporting communications, identifying efficiencies and improving workflows.

At the same time, AI tools have limitations and risks. AI-generated information may be inaccurate, incomplete, biased or inappropriate for certain uses. Employees need to understand how to use approved tools responsibly, protect personal and institutional information, and ensure that people remain accountable for decisions and final outputs.

This training is intended to help employees build confidence while using AI with care, judgment and accountability.

What you’ll learn

The AI Training program consists of learning modules that develop gradually, starting with basic concepts and moving toward hands-on practice. 

Generative AI Basics

Build a solid foundation in generative AI.

You will: 

  • Understand what generative AI is and how it works.
  • Explore common tools and platforms used in higher education.
  • Learn where AI can add value in your role.
  • Develop confidence using AI in everyday tasks.
  • Recognize key limitations, risks and responsibilities when using AI-generated outputs.

Prompting and Responsible Use

Learn how to get better results and use AI safely and ethically.

You will:

  • Write effective prompts to generate useful outputs.
  • Apply structured prompting approaches, such as task, context and tone.
  • Understand responsible and appropriate use of AI tools.
  • Recognize privacy, data security and ethical considerations.
  • Review and validate AI-generated outputs before using or sharing them.

Using AI in Software

Apply AI directly in the tools you already use.

You will:

  • Use AI features within familiar applications, such as Outlook, Word and Teams, where available and appropriate.
  • Explore Gemini integrations, where available and appropriate.
  • Streamline common tasks such as drafting, summarizing, organizing and analyzing content.
  • Improve productivity and support more efficient workflows.
  • Translate AI capabilities into real workplace scenarios.

Agentic AI Basics

Explore the next evolution of AI tools.

You will:

  • Understand what agentic AI is and how it differs from basic generative AI.
  • Learn how AI agents can support multi-step tasks.
  • Identify opportunities and risks related to agent-based workflows.
  • Build awareness of emerging AI capabilities and future applications.

Who this is for

This training is designed for Ontario Tech employees across a range of roles and experience levels.

  • No prior AI knowledge is required.
  • The training is applicable across administrative, academic, professional and leadership roles.
  • The modules are flexible and self-paced.
  • Employees can complete individual modules or follow the full learning pathway as more modules become available.

Time commitment

Each module is designed to be concise, practical and self-paced. Modules can be completed individually or as part of the full learning series, depending on your needs and schedule.

GAI Basics is estimated to take 20 - 30 minutes to complete.

A responsible approach to AI

Ontario Tech’s approach to AI training is grounded in responsible use, privacy and security, and human accountability.

AI can support work, but it should not replace human judgment. Employees are expected to review, validate and take responsibility for final outputs.

Before recommending AI tools for university work, the university considers factors such as privacy, data protection, security, vendor terms, procurement requirements, institutional risk, intellectual property, accessibility, functionality and appropriate safeguards.

Different AI 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.

Approved tools and platform information

For university work, employees should use approved or university-supported AI tools and environments.

Current training will include reference to tools such as Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini in approved university-supported environments, where appropriate. Employees should ensure they are signed in with their Ontario Tech University ID when using approved enterprise environments so that university privacy and security protections are in place.

Other AI systems may become available or may be requested for review over time. If a tool is not listed as approved or university-supported, employees should not use it with personal, confidential or sensitive university information. Proposed AI systems may require privacy, security, procurement and AI assessment before use.

For details about approved platforms, access, tool availability and technical guidance, visit:

[Link to ITS AI platform information page]

What if my tool is not listed?

AI tools need to be reviewed before they are recommended for university work. Reviews may consider privacy, data protection, security, procurement, intellectual property, vendor terms, accessibility, functionality and whether university data could be used to train AI models.

If a tool is not listed, it does not mean it can never be used; it means it has not yet been reviewed or approved for that use. Employees should not use unapproved tools with personal, confidential or sensitive university information.

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

itservices@ontariotechu.ca or accessandprivacy@ontariotechu.ca

Privacy, security and PIA information

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.

For guidance on privacy, data protection, Privacy Impact Assessments and responsible data use, visit:

[Link to Privacy Office / PIA information page]

Learning design and module development

The AI training modules are being developed with support from Faculty subject matter experts (Dr. Amanda McGreggor & Dr. Peter Lewis), Privacy, Risk, The Learning Centre, IT Services, and Human Resources.

TLC supports module design, learning outcomes, accessibility, instructional quality and effective online learning experiences. 

For information about learning design and related teaching and learning supports, visit:

[Link to TLC AI training/module page]

Existing AI learning foundation

This training builds from an existing GenAI literacy foundation already available to Ontario Tech learners.

The student-facing self-paced module, Coursework and GenAI: A Practical Guide to AI Literacy, was designed to help learners understand how generative AI functions, evaluate when and how to use GenAI, assess the quality of AI-generated outputs, and apply practical strategies for using GenAI in academic work.

The employee training adapts this foundation for a workplace context. While the student module focuses on academic work, the employee version applies similar literacy principles to administrative and professional tasks, approved workplace tools, privacy and security expectations, responsible use, and human accountability.

Program updates and feedback

This training program will continue to evolve as new modules, tools and resources become available.

Feedback from participants will help improve the training, identify additional examples and use cases, and support future learning opportunities for Ontario Tech employees.

[Insert feedback form or contact link, if available]

Need support?

For questions about the training program, contact:

hrtraining@ontariotechu.ca or jennifer.topping@ontariotechu.ca

For technical questions about platform access, contact:

itservices@ontariotechu.ca

For privacy or data-use questions, contact:

accessandprivacy@ontariotechu.ca

FAQ

  • What is Future Ready! Artificial Intelligence Training?
    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.
  • Who is this training for?
    This training is designed for Ontario Tech employees across a range of roles and experience levels. No prior AI knowledge is required.
  • Why is the university offering this training?
    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.
  • What modules are included?

    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.

  • Do I need to be an AI expert?
    No. The training starts with foundational concepts and is intended to build baseline fluency and confidence.
  • Is this training mandatory?
    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.
  • Can I complete the training at my own pace?
    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.
  • Which AI tools are approved?
    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.
  • Can I use free AI tools for work?
    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.
  • What if the AI tool I want to use is not listed?

    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]

  • Are all AI tools protected in the same way?
    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.
  • Can I use ChatGPT?
    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.
  • Why do AI tools need to be reviewed?
    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.
  • Can I enter student or employee data?
    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.
  • Can AI make decisions for me?
    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.
  • Do I need to check AI-generated content?

    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.

  • How is privacy being considered?
    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.
  • How does this relate to the student GenAI literacy module?
    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.
  • Will the employee training be the same as the student module?
    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.
  • How does this apply to my role?
    Each module includes practical examples and use cases relevant to a range of university roles to help employees translate learning into action.
  • Will there be additional or advanced training?
    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.
  • Where do I go for help?

    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