State staff training
GenAI is a new and rapidly evolving technology, so training is important to responsibly and safely understand and use GenAI tools. CalHR and the Office of Data and Innovation created the Foundations of GenAI certificate series. This 5-course series focuses on essential skills and knowledge for deploying GenAI safely and effectively. The trainings are intended to support safe, secure, and responsible business implementation, ethical use of AI technology, and state staff learning and development.
State entities should consider a phased approach to workforce GenAI training. First, your department’s Executive leadership, GenAI leads, legal, labor, and privacy specialists should be trained. Next, the business owners and the technical experts who oversee programs that are likely to consider GenAI tools should be trained. Then, the general workforce of your department should receive training on GenAI.
Below are summaries of GenAI training modules according to the needs of different audiences and skillsets. As training modules and resources become available, this table will link to those resources.
General workforce education
An overview of GenAI for public professionals. Learners will review demonstrations, and engage in activities to help them safely integrate generative AI into their workflow. Topics covered include the following: a definition of generative AI, common tasks that AI can assist with to improve efficiency, prompt writing and other best practices, overcoming risks, and societal challenges.
Learning objectives in this training:
- Understand what AI is
- Understand risks related to GenAI use and how to minimize them
- Identify opportunities for using GenAI to help perform job duties better
Business leader education
A course specifically for public sector leaders, decision makers, and innovators. With invaluable input from leading thinkers and doers in government, industry, academia, and civil society, this course will equip state leaders with the knowledge and strategies needed to make informed decisions about AI in their organization.
Learning objectives in this training:
- Understand the different types of AI and their applications in government. In simplified terms, how does GenAI work?
- Know how to identify and prioritize high-impact projects. What are the potential use cases of GenAI?
- Recognize the importance of data qualities and strategies to improve it. What risks are associated with GenAI, and how can they be mitigated?
- Understand the talent and skills needed for GenAI and how to develop them. What is the State’s role in ensuring safe, secure, and responsible business implementation of GenAI?
- Be aware of key ethical considerations and risk management practices for responsible AI.
Technical training
Module 1: GenAI infrastructure, model management, model training, and output monitoring.
Key questions answered through this training:
- How is data prepared for model training?
- What are GenAI model training methods?
- What are best practices of output monitoring?
- What are best practices for preventing and troubleshooting model collapse?
Module 2: Security considerations of GenAI, information security, and cybersecurity threat protection.
Key questions answered through this training:
- What are the information security considerations of GenAI?
- What are best practices of cybersecurity protection against GenAI threats?
- What are best practices for controlling information access by GenAI models?
For technical GenAI training, visit Generative AI Technical Training.