We believe that students today need a strong foundation in human-first AI literacy; ideally, this foundational learning happens in a student’s first year. The goal of fluency is to become a more effective and responsible user of AI. Fluency is developed over a student’s four years, and it requires ongoing practice and feedback across different contexts; this includes learning the ethics of when not to use AI, which we see as a valuable skill. This developmental approach, from AI literacy to fluency, can complement a strong liberal arts education and prepare students for informed civic engagement and any career trajectory.

AI Learning at Trinity: From Literacy to Fluency. A three-stage framework. Stage one, Foundational Literacy: First-Year AI Essentials Lab; AI Literacy for All Course; Fall Academic AI Symposia; AI Studio; Academic Integrity Initiative; and Introduction to AI Career Planning Tools. Stage two, Effective and Responsible Use: Co-Curricular Offerings and Internships; Academic Courses; Professional Networking; and Assignments (and Ethics of Non-Use). Stage three, Applied Projects: Applied Projects; Trinity's Applied AI Innovation Sandbox; Experiential Certificate in AI; and AI in the Career Search.