Art. 4 AI literacy | AI act regulation | AI act

This brief but foundational article establishes an AI literacy obligation for both providers and deployers of AI systems.

Rather than prescribing a specific training programme or curriculum, it sets a general standard: those who develop or deploy AI systems must take measures to ensure that their staff and anyone else handling those systems on their behalf has a sufficient level of understanding of AI.

Notably, the obligation is calibrated to the individual — what counts as sufficient takes into account the person's existing technical knowledge, experience, education, and training, as well as the specific context in which the AI system is used and who it affects.

Important points:

Both providers and deployers of AI systems must take measures to ensure sufficient AI literacy among their staff and anyone operating AI systems on their behalf.
The standard of literacy required is not fixed — it must be assessed in light of each person's existing knowledge, experience, education, and training.
The context of use matters: the persons or groups on whom the AI system is used must also be considered when determining what level of literacy is sufficient.

In order to obtain the greatest benefits from AI systems while protecting fundamental rights, health and safety and to enable democratic control, AI literacy should equip providers, deployers and affected persons with the necessary notions to make informed decisions regarding AI systems. Those notions may vary with regard to the relevant context and can include understanding the correct application of technical elements during the AI system’s development phase, the measures to be applied during its use, the suitable ways in which to interpret the AI system’s output, and, in the case of affected persons, the knowledge necessary to understand how decisions taken with the assistance of AI will have an impact on them. In the context of the application this Regulation, AI literacy should provide all relevant actors in the AI value chain with the insights required to ensure the appropriate compliance and its correct enforcement. Furthermore, the wide implementation of AI literacy measures and the introduction of appropriate follow-up actions could contribute to improving working conditions and ultimately sustain the consolidation, and innovation path of trustworthy AI in the Union. The European Artificial Intelligence Board (the ‘Board’) should support the Commission, to promote AI literacy tools, public awareness and understanding of the benefits, risks, safeguards, rights and obligations in relation to the use of AI systems. In cooperation with the relevant stakeholders, the Commission and the Member States should facilitate the drawing up of voluntary codes of conduct to advance AI literacy among persons dealing with the development, operation and use of AI.

Article 4 AI literacy

Relevant recitals