Bloomington, Indiana – Indiana University is taking another major step into the digital future by expanding access to its popular GenAI 101 course. What began as a resource for current students, faculty, and staff will now reach the university’s more than 805,000 alumni across the globe — marking one of the largest AI literacy initiatives ever launched by a U.S. institution.
The move reflects IU’s growing commitment to lifelong learning and its recognition of how crucial generative artificial intelligence has become in modern workplaces. Alumni can now enroll in the free, self-paced virtual course by simply logging into their My IU accounts. With this expansion, IU is ensuring that every member of its community — past and present — can stay competitive in a world increasingly shaped by intelligent technology.
Since GenAI 101 launched in August, the enthusiasm has been striking. Over 40,000 students, faculty, and staff have already participated in the course, exploring the possibilities of large language models and AI-driven productivity tools. The program has also caught the attention of organizations nationwide — from universities to state governments and private companies — all eager to develop similar training models tailored to their own communities.
“When we introduced our GenAI 101 course for students, faculty and staff, alumni immediately reached out wanting to take part,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “Now, all members of the IU family can gain the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing technological world. We’re proud to help America’s largest living alumni network continue to learn and lead effectively in the age of artificial intelligence.”
The course itself is designed to be approachable for all learners — no prior technical background required. Structured across eight modules and 16 compact lessons, GenAI 101 provides a hands-on, engaging introduction to the fundamentals of generative AI. Participants will explore 20 essential skills organized around three main learning themes: Foundational Prompt Engineering, GenAI as a Thought Partner, and GenAI as a Productivity Amplifier.
Each lesson includes practical examples, vivid visuals, and real-world exercises that simulate workplace and personal use cases. Learners will practice how to write effective prompts, verify AI-generated content, create compelling data stories, and apply ethical reasoning when using artificial intelligence. Upon completion, participants receive an official digital badge they can display on LinkedIn, signaling their proficiency in AI literacy to employers and peers.
A unique feature of the course is Crimson, a real-time, conversational AI agent built into the learning experience. Crimson acts as a digital mentor, guiding participants through concepts, answering questions, and helping them better understand the role of AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. The inclusion of Crimson underscores IU’s goal of not only teaching about AI but also demonstrating its power in action.
“The landscape of generative AI is shifting quickly and opening up genuine possibilities for individuals who are fluent with this technology,” said Brian Williams, lead professor of the course and chair of the Virtual Advanced Business Technologies Department at the IU Kelley School of Business. “We developed this course to equip learners with skills they can instantly apply to their lives and careers so they can have an even greater impact.”
Indiana University’s efforts in artificial intelligence extend well beyond the classroom. The institution has become a national leader in AI research, applying machine learning to fields such as healthcare, business analytics, cybersecurity, and environmental science. Its commitment to expanding GenAI 101 to alumni further cements IU’s position as a hub for innovation and digital advancement.
By making AI education accessible to such a vast network of graduates — spread across every continent and industry — IU is ensuring that its alumni community remains prepared for the rapidly evolving digital economy. The expansion of GenAI 101 stands as both a nod to IU’s proud academic tradition and a bold step toward the future of lifelong learning.
With this initiative, Indiana University isn’t just teaching about artificial intelligence — it’s helping shape a generation of professionals ready to understand, harness, and responsibly guide it.
