Key facts

  • In force since 2 February 2025 — already a live obligation, not a future one.
  • Applies to both providers and deployers of AI systems.
  • Training must be scaled to role and context, not generic one-size-fits-all content.
  • Covers boards and executives, not just operational staff who use AI day to day.
  • Use the free AI literacy programme starter kit to build a compliant programme.

What Article 4 requires

Organisations must ensure staff and other people operating AI on their behalf have enough understanding of AI — its capabilities, limitations, risks and the organisation's own policies — to use and oversee it responsibly.

Who it applies to

Both providers (who build or place AI systems on the market) and deployers (who use them under their own authority). In practice this means most UK and EU businesses using AI in any capacity are in scope.

What good AI literacy training looks like

Role-based content: general staff need awareness of policies and risks; people operating AI day to day need more detail on the specific systems and oversight duties; boards need enough to provide effective oversight. Generic, one-size-fits-all training does not satisfy the obligation.

How to evidence compliance

Keep training records, role-based curricula, completion rates and policy acknowledgements. Run training at onboarding and at least annually, refreshing content whenever tools or rules change. See the starter kit for a ready-to-adapt programme structure.

Frequently asked questions

What is Article 4 of the EU AI Act?

It requires providers and deployers to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy among staff and others operating AI on their behalf.

Is AI literacy mandatory?

Yes — the Article 4 obligation has applied since 2 February 2025 to providers and deployers of AI systems.

Who needs AI literacy training?

Anyone operating, overseeing or affected by AI in your organisation, scaled to their role and the system's risk.

Is generic AI training enough for Article 4?

No — it must be appropriate to roles, context and the specific AI systems used.

Does AI literacy apply to the board?

Yes — directors need enough literacy to provide effective oversight of AI risk and strategy.

Related pages

Sources

Last updated 19 June 2026.