The 4C Framework is an AI fluency framework that provides a disciplined and empowering way for people to collaborate effectively, safely, and responsibly with AI systems through four core competencies:

1. Choice: The intentional act of deciding when, where, and how to use AI — and just as importantly, when not to. AI should be a tool, not a default. Exercising choice ensures humans remain in control, applying AI thoughtfully rather than by reflex.

2. Clarity: The ability to express instructions precisely, transparently, and in a structured way. Ambiguity in, ambiguity out. Clarity ensures AI systems understand not just what you want, but how you want it delivered.

3. Critical Thinking: The practice of questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, testing reasoning, and stress-testing AI outputs. AI can be persuasive but wrong, confident but biased. Critical thinking prevents blind acceptance and keeps humans in the loop as discerning decision-makers.

4. Consistency: The discipline of applying shared standards, ethics, and quality benchmarks across AI interactions. Consistency creates reliability and a shared reality, ensuring AI work aligns with collective values, organizational goals, and repeatable good practice.

Together, these four competencies give individuals and organizations a foundation for empowered, effective, and responsible human-AI collaboration.