AI governance · EU AI Act · Styria, Austria
info@ki-beratung.st+43 664 1935195
KI-Beratung.sta QmiSoft company
Obligation & practice

AI literacy under Article 4 AI Act

Anyone using AI in their organisation must ensure that employees can handle it. Here is how to plan measures that work – and that you can evidence.

In brief

Article 4 of the EU AI Act requires providers and deployers of AI systems to take measures to support the AI literacy of their staff and of all persons operating AI systems on their behalf. No specific level has to be guaranteed – but the measures must fit the context of use and be documented.

What changed in 2026

The obligation has applied since 2 February 2025. The amending Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 (“Digital Omnibus”, July 2026) reworded Article 4: the obligation to ensure “to their best extent” a sufficient level of literacy became an obligation to take measures that support AI literacy. It is also new that the Commission and the Member States are to support organisations – in particular SMEs.

What “AI literacy” means in practice

  • Understanding: How do the AI tools in use work, and where are their limits (e.g. wrong or invented results)?
  • Using them correctly: Which data may be entered, and how are results checked and labelled?
  • Recognising risks: Data protection, confidentiality, copyright, bias and security.
  • Knowing responsibilities: Who decides, who approves, where are problems reported?

How to plan the measures

  1. Define target groups: Management, specialist users, IT/development and occasional users need different content.
  2. Focus on the actual tools: Train on the systems from your AI inventory – not on “AI” in general.
  3. Link to the AI policy: The training explains the rules that apply in the organisation.
  4. Document: Record content, participants, date and refresher interval.
  5. Refresh: For new tools, new purposes or at least once a year.

Our offer

We develop awareness and training formats for management and employees tailored to each target group – on site in Styria or online, in German or English – and provide the matching documentation. More under competence building & awareness.

Further information is provided by the AI Service Desk of RTR (in German).

Note: This page provides an overview and does not replace legal advice in individual cases.

Last updated: September 2026 · Author: Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Herbert Schrank

FAQ

Questions about AI literacy

Is AI training under Article 4 AI Act mandatory?

Article 4 requires providers and deployers of AI systems to take measures to support the AI literacy of their staff. The amending Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 (July 2026) clarified that no specific level of competence has to be guaranteed – but suitable, context-appropriate and documented measures are still required.

Since when has Article 4 applied?

The AI literacy obligation has applied since 2 February 2025. The amending Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 adjusted the wording in July 2026: organisations must take measures that support the development of AI literacy; the Commission and the Member States are to provide support – especially for SMEs.

Is a specific certificate or training format required?

No. The AI Act prescribes neither a certificate nor a specific number of hours. What matters is that the measures match the systems in use, the roles and the prior knowledge of employees – and that they are documented in a traceable way.

Contact

Start with a free assessment

Tell us briefly which AI applications you use or plan to use. We will get back to you with a proposed date for an initial meeting.

Contact form+43 664 1935195
Your contact

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Herbert Schrank
KI-Beratung.st – a QmiSoft company
Lindenweg 4, 8190 Birkfeld, Styria, Austria

In person in Styria or remotely throughout Austria – in German or English.