In short. AI Act Article 4 requires measures supporting staff AI literacy development, taking account of prior knowledge, the use context and affected people.
Definition: As of 17 October 2026, AI Act Article 4 requires AI system suppliers and professional users within the Act's scope to take measures supporting staff AI literacy. AI literacy means the skills, knowledge and understanding for informed deployment and awareness of AI opportunities, risks and possible harm.
Key facts
- Article 113 of the original AI Act makes Chapter I, which contains Article 4, applicable from 2 February 2025.
- Article 1(5) of Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 replaces Article 4 with a duty to support AI literacy development.
- The European Commission's AI literacy questions and answers says organisations can keep internal records of training or other guidance initiatives, without a certificate.
Which website businesses and staff are covered?
Article 3(3) of the AI Act's consolidated text defines a provider as a person or organisation that develops, or commissions development of, an AI system or model and markets it or puts the system into service under its own name or trademark. Payment is immaterial. Article 3(4) defines a deployer as a person or organisation using an AI system under its authority, except for personal, non-professional use.
For a website business, using an AI tool under its authority therefore falls within the deployer definition. Article 2(1)(b) covers deployers established or located in the EU. Article 4(1) extends the literacy measures to staff and other people operating or using systems on the organisation's behalf, so the wording also reaches work performed through external personnel.
What must the measures take into account?
Article 4(1) of the amended AI Act requires consideration of the people's technical knowledge, experience, education and training. It also requires consideration of the context of use and the people or groups on whom the systems are used.
Recital 20 of the original regulation identifies interpreting a system's output and understanding measures applied during its use as elements of AI literacy. For people affected by AI-assisted decisions, it includes understanding how those decisions affect them.
What changes with the July 2026 amendment?
The original Article 4 requires measures to ensure, to the organisation's best extent, a sufficient level of AI literacy. Article 1(5) of the Digital Omnibus on AI replaces that wording with measures supporting its development. The amendment takes effect on 27 July 2026 under its Article 4, following publication on 24 July 2026.
The replacement Article 4(2) requires the Commission and Member States to support organisations' efforts, particularly those of small and medium-sized enterprises. It also requires the Commission to publish practical compliance examples on the single information platform identified in Article 62(3)(b).
Related terms
- AI Act application timeline
- AI Act Article 50 (transparency obligations)
- General-purpose AI model under the AI Act
FAQ
Do you need an AI literacy certificate?
The Commission's AI literacy FAQ says a certificate is unnecessary. You can keep an internal record of training or other guidance initiatives.
Does the duty include people working on your behalf?
Yes. Article 4(1) of the consolidated AI Act expressly includes other people dealing with the operation and use of AI systems on your behalf alongside staff.
Sources
- EUR-Lex, "Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act)", 13 June 2024
- EUR-Lex, "Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, consolidated text", 27 July 2026
- EUR-Lex, "Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 (Digital Omnibus on AI)", 8 July 2026
- European Commission, "AI Literacy - Questions & Answers", updated 27 July 2026
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