Citi Mandates AI Prompt Training for 175,000 Employees

Citibank has announced a mandatory AI training initiative for its entire workforce of approximately 175,000 employees across 80 global locations. The comprehensive program focuses on teaching staff how to effectively use the bank’s internal AI tools and craft prompts that maximize efficiency and productivity.

According to an internal memo viewed by American Banker, the training represents “the beginning of a new way of working” at Citi. The bank emphasized that AI integration is transforming operations by “turning work that once took hours into tasks done in minutes.”

Mastering the Art of AI Prompting

Tim Ryan, Citi’s head of technology and business enablement, described the training as “a practical guide to mastering a key skill for the future.” He compared effective prompt writing to asking the right question during a client pitch, noting that well-crafted prompts can “accelerate your work, surface insights and amplify your impact.”

The bank’s AI adoption is already showing significant engagement, with employees entering over 6.5 million prompts into built-in tools this year alone. A Citi representative explained that the training aims to teach employees “the possibilities of great prompting versus basic prompting to generate impactful results.”

Banking Industry Embraces AI Revolution

Citi’s move reflects a broader trend across the financial sector. JPMorgan recently unveiled an AI program capable of creating investment banking presentations in just 30 seconds, while Wells Fargo has sent 4,000 employees to Stanford’s Human-Centered AI program for advanced training.

The mandatory training signals that AI proficiency is no longer optional in modern banking but rather an essential skill for remaining competitive in an increasingly technology-driven industry.