AI, digital, and data skills

These skills are about making effective, critical and responsible use of digital tools, data and AI in your work, learning and decision-making.

This includes finding and assessing information, using digital platforms appropriately, interpreting data, and engaging thoughtfully with AI tools. It also means recognising ethical risks and limitations, including accuracy, bias, privacy, accessibility, security and academic integrity.

Digital technologies, data and AI are changing how people work across almost every sector. You do not need to be a technical expert. In many roles and sectors, it is valuable to be able to learn new tools, use information critically, adapt to change and make responsible decisions about when and how technology should be used.

You may already be developing AI, Digital & Data skills through your academic work, even if your course is not specifically technical.

Depending on your subject, this might include:

• using digital platforms, databases, libraries or archives to find and manage information
• assessing the reliability and quality of online sources
• analysing data, evidence, texts, images, code, case studies or research findings
• using spreadsheets, specialist software, coding languages, lab systems, mapping tools or reference management platforms
• presenting information through slides, charts, diagrams, visualisations or digital content
• using AI tools, where appropriate and permitted, while checking accuracy and following University guidance

These skills are not just about using digital tools, but using them critically, questioning evidence, identifying limitations, recognising assumptions, and making careful judgements.

You can develop AI, Digital and Data skills through your course, college life, societies, internships, volunteering and independent projects.

What you can do

• use spreadsheets, dashboards or digital tools to track a project, event, budget or campaign
• analyse survey responses, attendance figures or engagement data
• create digital content, such as a website, newsletter, video, portfolio or visual summary
• use AI tools responsibly to support planning, idea generation or summarising feedback
• explore how AI, data or digital tools are changing a sector that interests you
• attend training, employer events or workshops focused on digital skills, data, AI or technology

Student societies can also help you build this skill. You could join a society focused on AI, computing, robotics or digital technology, or take on a digital role in another group, such as managing a website, mailing list, data, digital content or online accessibility. Examples include the Artificial Intelligence Society, Oxford CompSoc, Womxn in Computer Science and Oxford Robotics Graduate Society.

Oxford programmes and opportunities

There are a range of Oxford resources and Careers programmes that can help you build and apply this skill.

• Oxford Student Digital Skills Hub: resources to help you build and assess your digital capabilities.
• Oxford AI training and guidance: support on using AI tools safely, appropriately and responsibly.
• Bodleian iSkills workshops: training on finding, evaluating, managing and using information effectively.
• Micro-Internship Programme: short placements where you can apply digital, data or AI skills through defined projects.
• Summer Internship Programme: longer vacation internships that may involve research, analysis, software, systems or digital work.
• Crankstart Internship Programme: exclusive internship opportunities for Crankstart Scholars.

Outside Oxford, look for opportunities to use digital tools, data or AI for a clear purpose, such as solving a problem, improving a process, understanding information or communicating ideas more effectively.

You could build your knowledge through free or low-cost introductory learning in areas such as AI literacy, Excel, data analysis, coding, data visualisation, cybersecurity, UX, accessibility or digital project management. There are also many free online learning platforms where students can explore these topics, including OpenLearn, IBM SkillsBuild, Kaggle Learn, freeCodeCamp and AI Skills Boost.

You could also build this skill through a small practical project. For example, you might:

• use a spreadsheet or dashboard to manage a budget, event, fundraiser or campaign
• analyse public data on a topic you care about and present your findings visually
• build a website, blog, digital portfolio, app prototype or data visualisation
• use AI tools to support a personal project, while checking accuracy and reflecting on limitations
• explore virtual work experience, job simulations or volunteering involving digital communications, data, research, reporting, website content, analytics or systems work

The strongest examples usually show that you used digital tools, data or AI for a clear purpose, considered the quality and limitations of the information, and communicated the outcome clearly.