This is self-paced online course for University of Nottingham staff focusing on understanding and engaging with artificial intelligence (AI) safely, ethically and with confidence.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday work across the university, but it can be difficult to know what it actually is, what it can do, and how and when to use it appropriately. This course offers a clear practical introduction, cutting through the complexity and hype to focus on what matters when understanding and engaging with AI. You will explore how AI works, where it already appears in everyday tools, and how to use generative AI on real tasks from your own work. At the heart of the course is a set of principles for safe, ethical, and beneficial use to help you understand AI's limitations, critically evaluate what AI produces and knowing when human judgement must take precedence. By the end, you will have a grounded understanding of AI as a tool that can support your work, and the principles to use it confidently, safely and responsibly.  

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Understand what AI is and what it isn't, in plain, accessible language. 
• Understand how AI systems actually work at a high level, without needing a technical background. 
• Recognise how AI fits into the university's ambition for safe, ethical, and beneficial use. 
• Develop an approach to engaging productively and critically with generative AI tools. 
• Understand the importance of human judgement, oversight, and critical thinking when using AI. 
• Be aware of emerging developments such as agentic AI and why they matter. 
• Recognise risks and know how to use AI safely and responsibly. 
• Identify where to go next as part of the university's AI Literacy Ladder. 

How to access this course:
Module: AI Fundamentals | moodle.Nottingham

If you have any queries regarding this course please contact: BR-StaffLearning