AI Literacy: A New Legal Requirement Under the EU AI Act – Are You Ready?

The EU AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive law governing AI, setting a precedent for how organizations across industries must handle AI responsibly.  Among its many provisions, a crucial but often overlooked requirement is AI literacy—a mandate that ensures employees working with AI have the necessary skills and understanding to assess AI risks and opportunities effectively.

From February 2, 2025, all businesses that develop or use AI systems within the EU will need to demonstrate that their staff possesses a sufficient level of AI literacy. Unlike other obligations in the Act, this requirement applies to all AI systems—regardless of their risk level. But what does AI literacy entail and how can businesses ensure compliance?

What is AI Literacy?

AI literacy refers to the ability of employees to make informed decisions about AI systems. This includes understanding how AI works, interpreting AI-generated outputs and assessing potential risks and ethical considerations. The goal is to empower employees to use AI responsibly and mitigate risks associated with AI-driven decision-making.

Who Needs to Comply?

Both AI providers (those developing AI systems) and AI users (businesses deploying AI in their operations) must ensure their employees meet the AI literacy requirement. Whether a company is implementing an advanced AI model or simply using an AI-powered chatbot, staff interacting with these systems must be appropriately trained.

Meeting the AI Literacy Requirement

The EU AI Act does not prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach to achieving AI literacy, but it does expect businesses to take measures “to their best extent.” This means AI literacy initiatives should align with employees’ roles, technical expertise and the context in which AI is used. Practical steps include:

• Identifying AI Usage – Map out where AI is currently being used or developed in your organization.
• Assessing AI Knowledge – Evaluate employees’ understanding of AI through quizzes or surveys to identify training gaps.
• Leveraging Internal & External Expertise – Work with internal teams and external experts to develop a well-rounded AI training program.
• Developing an AI Literacy Program – Tailor training content to different job functions, ensuring those assessing AI outputs receive specialized education.
• Implementing Training & Feedback – Use interactive platforms, real-world examples and feedback loops to reinforce learning.
• Documenting & Updating – Maintain training records to demonstrate compliance and keep content up to date with evolving AI regulations.

The Clock is Ticking

Unlike most provisions of the EU AI Act, which come into force in 2026, the AI literacy requirement takes effect on February 2, 2025. With just a short window to prepare, businesses need to act now to ensure compliance and equip their teams with the right knowledge.

How Lanboss Can Help

At Lanboss, we specialize in making AI adoption safe, compliant and effective. Our AI Safety Workshop is designed to help organizations meet AI literacy requirements by providing structured, hands-on training tailored to different business roles.  Whether you need an introductory session for general staff or in-depth training for AI risk assessors, we ensure your team is fully prepared to navigate the new regulatory landscape.

Don’t wait until the last minute—ensure your team is AI-literate and compliant.  Get in touch today to learn more about our AI Safety Workshop!