Key Takeaways
- Companies are required to ensure that employees working with AI systems are adequately trained.
- It’s not just about technical basics. Knowledge, experience, prior training, and the specific context in which the AI system is used must be considered.
- Objective: trustworthy, safe, and transparent AI usage with reduced risks and fully leveraged opportunities.
What does Article 4 of the EU AI Act regulate?
Article 4 defines the requirement for “AI Literacy,” meaning the ability of all individuals who use or oversee AI systems to understand and handle them safely. Organizations must ensure that employees have the necessary knowledge, understanding, and skills to use AI responsibly and in full compliance with the law.
This includes both everyday AI users and those who make strategic decisions involving AI or integrate AI into business processes.
Why this matters:
There is ongoing concern that AI will replace jobs. In reality, AI mostly changes job profiles. This makes it even more important for employees to understand how AI works and how to use it meaningfully and effectively.
Who is affected?
The EU AI Act applies to all industries and company sizes as soon as AI systems are used, developed, or deployed.
This includes:
- Companies using AI tools in daily operations (e.g., ChatGPT, Odoo AI, marketing automation)
- Businesses integrating AI into products or services
- Organizations with departments working with AI-driven analytics or automation
- Companies purchasing AI systems or relying on AI-generated outputs
In
short: Anyone using AI needs AI Literacy.
Why is Article 4 so important?
Article 4 ensures that AI is not used carelessly or incorrectly. Insufficient skills can lead to poor decisions, compliance violations, discrimination risks, security incidents and reputational damage
AI Literacy also strengthens innovation: trained teams understand AI better, use it more productively, and spot opportunities for improvement and growth.
Furthermore:
AI won’t simply replace jobs. It will transform them.
Employees who can confidently use AI will work faster, make better decisions, and automate routine tasks effectively.
AI Literacy is not only a legal requirement but also a strategic advantage:
- Legal and organizational safety
- Competitive edge through efficient AI use
- Greater trust among customers, partners, and regulators
Practical requirements under Article 4
Many summaries of the EU AI Act remain vague. Here is what companies actually need to do to comply with Article 4:
- identify employees affected by AI usage
- ensure required AI competencies for each role
- provide appropriate training programs
- keep knowledge updated regularly
- maintain documentation and evidence of training
Important: Companies do not need internal AI experts. They simply need a structured approach to ensuring employees gain the required competencies.
What companies should do now – a clear
step-by-step guide
For many organizations, AI is still a new and complex field. The EU AI Act does not expect companies to have in-house AI expertise from day one — only that they establish a structured, traceable process. In this process, it can be helpful to seek support from an experienced AI consultant.
The following steps help create orientation and lay a solid foundation for AI Literacy:
Step 1: Understand current AI usage
Identify which AI tools and AI-powered processes your company is already using. This creates transparency about risks and shows which teams are affected.
Step 2: Define roles & responsibilities
Determine which employees work with AI or make decisions based on AI insights. Because every role requires different competencies, this step builds the foundation for structured training.
Step 3: Identify competency gaps
Assess the existing knowledge base through questionnaires, brief assessments, or workshops. This provides a clear picture of which topics need to be trained in the future.
Step 4: Develop a training concept
Based on roles and gaps identified, create a training plan that includes:
- foundational AI knowledge
- legal requirements
- practical application examples
- safe and responsible AI use
- industry-specific considerations
A well-designed concept makes implementation and compliance documentation easier.
Step 5: Conduct and document training
Training can be delivered as in-person sessions, e-learning, or workshops. Important: Participation and progress must be documented — this is a core requirement of the EU AI Act.
Step 6: Schedule regular updates
AI evolves quickly. Training content must be refreshed regularly. A clear update strategy ensures employees remain AI-competent over time.
Conclusion
Article 4 of the EU AI Act makes one thing clear: the future of AI does not depend on technology alone, but on people who understand and use it responsibly.
Companies that invest early in AI Literacy secure compliance, innovation, and competitive advantages while giving their employees the chance to actively shape the transformation.
Article 4 of the EU AI Act
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Frequently asked questions
Article 4 of the EU AI Act
The ability to understand AI systems, use them safely, and assess potential risks.
All employees who use AI, evaluate AI outputs, or make decisions based on AI.
Yes. The EU AI Act makes employee qualification a legal requirement.
Regularly, and whenever systems or requirements
change.
Companies risk compliance violations, liability issues, and operational risks.
Costs vary based on company size, number of roles, and AI footprint.
However, training is significantly cheaper than potential regulatory consequences.
Yes, as soon as AI is used, regardless of company size.
