Generative artificial intelligence is increasingly part of university learning, particularly when its outputs need to be evaluated carefully in coursework and assignments. This page supports students in understanding how AI works, where it can be useful, and when it may not be appropriate to use.
At the University of Saskatchewan, AI literacy helps students develop the judgment needed to use AI responsibly in their academic work and evaluate when its use is appropriate as ways of working with information continue to change, including in academic and professional environments beyond the university.
Start learning
Begin building your understanding of artificial intelligence through guided tutorials that introduce foundational concepts, responsible use, prompting, critical evaluation, and other core skills. These tutorials are designed as the starting point for AI literacy learning and provide the foundation for additional student-focused AI literacy learning later on this page.
You can choose how you want to work through the foundational material, whether you prefer a quicker, targeted experience or a full step-by-step walkthrough. Both tutorial options include an end evaluation and the opportunity to earn a certificate.
View the tutorial overview to learn more about the foundational AI Literacy Tutorial and what it covers.
Generative AI literacy tutorial (course challenge version)
Uses a pre-assessment and provides a personalized learning experience based on your existing knowledge.
Generative AI literacy tutorial (all content version)
Includes all content and quizzes, and guides you through each section step by step, regardless of your prior knowledge.
USask Student AI Literacy Tutorial
This tutorial is intended as a next step after completing one of the foundational AI Literacy Tutorial options above.
Building on the foundations of generative AI, this student-focused tutorial explores how artificial intelligence is affecting learning, research, career development, and the ways people engage with information. Designed as a next step after the foundational AI Literacy Tutorial, it assumes a basic understanding of generative AI concepts.
USask Students will learn how to critically evaluate AI systems, understand their impact on research and professional practice, examine how AI is affecting career planning and job searches, and strengthen the judgment needed to use AI effectively and responsibly.
By the end of this tutorial, students will be better equipped to evaluate AI, make informed decisions about its use, and understand its impact on learning, research, careers, and society.
Build your skills
The Understanding Generative AI series includes three short, self-paced modules (about 45 minutes each) to help you build practical skills for using AI in your learning, with a focus on critical thinking, responsible use, and maintaining human judgment.
- Understanding Generative AI — The Basics of Responsible Use
Discover how generative AI works, its capabilities and limitations, and why responsible, transparent use matters in university settings. - Interacting with Generative AI — Prompting Effectively
Learn how to ask better questions, verify AI-generated content, and refine prompts to get accurate, meaningful, and trustworthy responses. - Learning with Generative AI — How Much Is Too Much?
Reflect on how generative AI fits into your learning process. Recognize when it supports understanding, and when it might replace essential thinking, focus, or creativity.
Continue building AI literacy
Learn key concepts and terminology related to artificial intelligence, including generative AI, large language models, and machine learning, along with how these tools work, how they are used, and how to use them appropriately in your learning.
For a broader overview, the student AI literacy framework outlines the knowledge, skills, and judgment students should develop during their studies, including understanding how AI works, evaluating its outputs, using it responsibly, and applying it in different types of work and learning. It provides a longer-term view of how AI literacy connects to learning, critical thinking, career readiness, and preparation for academic and professional environments beyond graduation.
Assess your current level of understanding of artificial intelligence and identify areas where you may need to build your knowledge before using it effectively. This short self-assessment explores how AI works, its limitations and biases, and the ethical and societal considerations that shape responsible use.
Explore a range of technologies that may support learning, including campus-supported, library-supported, and self-supported tools.
NOTE: Some tools are not assessed or approved by the university, so it's important to understand their capabilities, limitations, and potential risks.
Explore additional resources related to AI literacy and learning.