## Citi focuses on widespread AI: 4,000 employees trained Instead of limiting access to artificial intelligence to specialized teams, Citi has chosen to integrate this technology into the daily workflow of a wide range of employees. Over the past two years, the bank has trained approximately 4,000 people from various sectors, including technology, operations, risk management, and customer support. This program, called "AI Champions" and "AI Accelerators," aims to encourage participation and knowledge sharing about AI within the organization. According to *Business Insider*, over 70% of Citi's approximately 182,000 employees use AI tools approved by the company. ## Training and internal support Citi's approach focuses on people. Employees who volunteered as "AI Champions" received training, internal resources, and early access to approved AI systems. These "champions" then supported colleagues in their teams, acting as local points of contact. Training played a key role. Employees could earn internal badges by completing courses or demonstrating how they used AI to improve their own tasks. These badges helped create visibility and credibility within the organization. ## AI for everyday tasks AI tools are used to summarize documents, draft internal notes, analyze data sets, and assist in software development. Citi has implemented security measures to ensure responsible use of data and AI-generated outputs. Citi's experience shows that AI adoption does not require every employee to become an expert. It is sufficient for an adequate number of people to understand the tools and know how to apply them responsibly. ## Lessons for large companies Citi's program suggests that the spread of AI must start from the bottom up, with the support of management. Encouraging employees from all sectors to participate sends a clear message: AI is not only for engineers or data scientists, but an integral part of how work is done.