Introduction to AI Fluency

Introduction to the AI Fluency Framework

Joe Feller: I'm Joe Feller, a professor at the Cork University Business School.
Drew Bent: My name is Drew Bent; I'm a teacher, programmer, and a member of the Technical Staff at Anthropic.
Rick Daken: My name is Rick Daken from the Ringling College of Art and Design.
Maggie Voe: I'm Maggie Voe, and I work on the Education Research Team at Anthropic.

Let's begin our exploration of the AI fluency framework. The focus of this course is not really about AI as a technology. Instead, it's mostly about you and I—us humans—and how we interact and collaborate with AI systems. It's about imagining possibilities that don't treat AI as some sort of next-level spell checker, but instead as a trusted partner for doing creative and innovative problem-solving work. It is about approaching these possibilities confidently and capably.

The Need for a Fundamental Framework

Let's face it: the AI world moves extremely quickly, and it's very hard to know where to start or how to keep up unless you have a grounding fundamental framework to guide you and get you past the next prompt engineering fad. That's why we're publishing this course.

In this course, we explore AI fluency: our ability to engage with AI systems in ways that are effective, efficient, ethical, and safe. You'll learn plenty of practical skills, but this isn't just another collection of technical definitions or prompting tips that may be outdated next month. This course is about fundamentally shifting how we approach AI. We want to change how we think about AI so that we can learn how to think with AI.

Bridging the Gap in Human-AI Interaction

Over the last few years, AI has transformed from specialized technologies to interactive systems that millions use daily at school, at work, and at home. This transformation creates both opportunities and uncertainty. We see organizations adopting AI without clear strategies. We watch people growing frustrated with systems that they don't fully understand. And we're all experiencing a widening gap between what's possible and what feels comfortable and intuitive. This course exists to help us bridge this gap together.

The Four Ds of AI Fluency

First, we'll give an overview of the AI fluency framework—a model for human-AI interaction that we have found useful and powerful. We'll discuss the ways we interact with AI systems and four core competencies, which we call the "Four Ds," that transform those interactions into something richer and much more rewarding.

Then, we'll look at each competency more closely. In brief, these are:

• Delegation: Which asks, "When should humans do work and when should AI?"
• Description: Which asks, "How do we communicate clearly with AI systems?"
• Discernment: Which asks, "How do we evaluate what AI gives us?"
• Diligence: Which asks, "How do we ensure our interaction with AI is responsible, transparent, and accountable?"

Learning Approach and Objectives

Each section includes focused videos paired with exercises and materials to build practical understanding. We hope you'll spend much of your time during this course trying what you're learning. You'll also hear directly from a few of us at Anthropic about what makes today's AI different from previous technologies, the real capabilities and limitations of these systems, and practical techniques that apply the Four Ds.

Most AI training focuses solely on tactical skills like specific prompts, which settings to adjust, or which systems to use. While useful, these skills can quickly become outdated. We're taking a different approach and focusing on core competencies and deep understanding so that you're prepared not just for today's AI, but for the changes to come.

By the end of our time together, you'll have:

• A framework to guide your own interactions with AI.
• Confidence in deciding when and how to engage AI effectively.
• Practical skills for more thoughtful and fluid human-AI collaboration.
• The ability to evaluate and take responsibility for the outcomes of these collaborations.