The countdown has begun
In August, 2026, every organization covered by the EU AI Act will need to prove their employees have been trained in AI Literacy.
One. Year. From. Now.
Article 4 of the EU AI Act makes it mandatory for organizations to invest in ongoing AI Literacy education and training so that anyone interacting with AI systems—whether internally as staff or externally as affected persons—understands how these systems work, the risks they pose, and the proper procedures for safe and ethical use.
Why worry about that as an organization in the US? I blogged earlier about that here, but basically, if you’re a US company rolling out AI in any sector that operates, sells to, or influences anyone in the EU, the EU AI Act is something you’ll need to follow.
Specifically, any non-EU company must adhere to the EU AI Act if the AI product, service, or its output is used or offered within the EU, including by EU-resident employees acting in the EU context. The geographic location of company headquarters is not what matters. Market use and end-user locations are what matter for triggering the Act’s provisions.
AI literacy consists of “skills, knowledge and understanding that allow providers, deployers and affected persons, taking into account their respective rights and obligations in the context of this Regulation, to make an informed deployment of AI systems, as well as to gain awareness about the opportunities and risks of AI and possible harm it can cause”. (Emphasis mine.)
The obligation for training concerns anyone in the organization who directly deals with an AI system, including employees, contractors, service providers, or clients. Again. If you sell to the EU or people in the EU use your products, and your contractors or suppliers aren’t compliant, you could be putting your organization at risk.
Compliance requires organizations to consider several factors:
The technical knowledge, experience, education, and training of staff and others involved
The context in which the AI is used
The persons or groups on whom the AI will be used
Organizations are expected to ensure at least a general understanding of AI, including what AI is, how it works, its purposes within the organization, and its risks and opportunities.
Some flexibility is built into the provision, as “AI literacy” is a broad and evolving topic; no strict quantitative measures or specific training content are mandated. Instead, compliance should match the organization's use of AI and the needs of those interacting with these systems.
Article 4 entered into force on February 2, 2025, and will be enforced beginning August 2, 2026.
Are you ready? (and AI literate?)
Organizations that pursue both literacy and readiness, and treat them as interconnected priorities, will not only meet regulatory obligations—they’ll build trust, accelerate ROI, and empower every employee to make a real impact in the age of AI.
Is your organization prepared to lead this transformation—from the server room, to the front lines, and every desk in between?
Resources from AIGG on your AI Journey
At AIGG, we understand that adopting AI isn’t just about the technology—it’s about people. People using technology responsibly, ethically, and with a focus on protecting privacy while building trust. We’ve been through business’ digital transformations before, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Whether you’re an edtech organization, school district, government agency, other nonprofit or business, our team of expert guides—including attorneys, anthropologists, data scientists, and business leaders—can help you craft bespoke programs and practices that align with your goals and values. We’ll also equip you with the knowledge and tools to build your team’s literacy, your responsible practices, TOS review playbooks, guidelines, and guardrails as you leverage AI in your products and services.
Don’t leave your AI journey to chance.
Connect with us today for your AI adoption support, including AI Literacy training, AI pilot support, AI policy protection, risk mitigation strategies, etc. Schedule a bespoke workshop to ensure your organization makes AI work safely and advantageously for you.
Your next step is simple—let’s talk together and start your journey towards safe, strategic AI adoption and deployment with AIGG.
