Citigroup has mandated artificial intelligence (AI) prompt training for most of its global workforce in an order that may soon become a clarion call among most enterprises.
The banking giant on Tuesday announced that 175,000 employees across 80 locations must complete coursework focused on effective AI prompt creation, in what Tim Ryan, head of technology and business enablement, called “a key skill for the future.”
In an internal memo, Ryan and Chief Administrative Officer Anand Selva drew a parallel between traditional business acumen and AI literacy. A well-crafted AI prompt, they contend, can accelerate work, uncover insights, and increase impact. AI will eventually manage even the most sophisticated banking operations, they assert.
The mandatory training program, called Asking Smart Questions, uses an adaptive learning platform that adjusts to each employee’s knowledge level. Those already familiar with AI tools can complete the course in less than 10 minutes, while newcomers typically spend around 30 minutes on the material.
“Just as the right question in a client pitch can reveal clarity and create advantage, a well-crafted prompt can accelerate your work, surface insights and amplify your impact,” Ryan said in the memo.
The initiative comes as Citi employees have already embraced AI tools in their daily workflows. Through the first part of this year, workers have entered more than 6.5 million prompts into the bank’s AI systems, transforming tasks that previously took hours into work that can be completed in minutes, according to the bank.
The move reflects a broader trend in finance. Last year, JPMorgan announced that all new hires would receive AI training, including instruction in prompt engineering — the practice of crafting effective queries for AI systems.
Mary Erdoes, who leads JPMorgan’s asset and wealth management division, said the training would prepare incoming employees for an AI-driven workplace. “Everyone coming in here will have prompt engineering training to get them ready for the AI of the future,” Erdoes said at the time.
JPMorgan President Daniel Pinto noted that AI would significantly impact nearly half the company’s workforce, particularly its 60,000 developers and 80,000 employees in operations and call centers.
Other major corporations have launched similar training efforts. Moderna Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., and Bank of America Corp. have all implemented AI proficiency programs, with some expanding training across their entire workforce.
In fact, the trend extends beyond voluntary corporate initiatives. Regulatory requirements are also driving AI literacy programs.
The European Union’s AI Act, which took effect Aug. 1, 2024, mandates that organizations using AI systems ensure all employees working with the technology are “AI literate” starting Feb. 2, 2025. The requirement applies to any company operating within the EU.
Meanwhile, Citigroup’s AI push extends well beyond prompt training. Last week, the bank rolled out an upgraded agentic AI system to 5,000 employees using its Stylus Workspaces platform. The enhanced tool can autonomously conduct research, analyze data, and translate findings.
The institution has also deployed AI coding assistants to its 40,000-strong developer workforce, incorporating Cognition’s Devin agent and GitHub Copilot into their daily work.
Chief Technology Officer David Griffiths deemed the tools as a way to shift employee focus from routine work to strategic thinking.
“We’re giving our people smarter, faster and more connected tools so they can focus less on manual tasks and more on the big ideas that drive our business forward,” Griffiths said.
