Mind the Gap: Closing the AI Literacy Divide in Your Organization

By Anil Tahmisoglu • 10/04/2025

AI is transforming businesses—and the EU AI Act  is reshaping how we regulate this powerful technology. But before getting lost in compliance complexities, let’s highlight a crucial yet often overlooked component: AI literacy.

AI literacy isn’t just about managing risks; it’s about unlocking potential. It ensures everyone—from your developers to HR professionals—knows how to harness AI responsibly.

In this blog, I’ll simplify the AI literacy requirement, drawing on key insights from the AI Office Webinar held on February 20th. My goal is to help your organization navigate and implement this essential element effectively.

1. What Is AI Literacy?

AI literacy equips employees, clients, and subcontractors with the necessary knowledge, skills, and awareness to use AI responsibly. It’s more than just technical know-how—it includes understanding how AI impacts people, society, and your organization.

According to Article 3(56) of the EU AI Act:

2. What Does AI Literacy Include?

AI literacy refers to the knowledge and awareness individuals need to interact with, use, or oversee AI systems responsibly and effectively. It includes:

1. Understanding how AI systems function (appropriate to one’s role)

2. Awareness of associated risks and opportunities

3. Grasping ethical, social, and practical implications

4. Ability to make informed decisions around AI

Proportionality is key: not everyone needs to be an AI expert—but everyone interacting with AI should have the right level of understanding.

3. Who is Responsible?

   
   

Article 4 of the EU AI Act requires both providers and deployers to ensure that staff—and others involved in AI system operation—receive AI literacy training.

• Providers : Entities that develop or brand AI systems for commercial/public use.

• Deployers : Organizations using AI systems under their control (excluding personal/non-professional use).

4. Who Needs AI Literacy Training?

AI literacy obligations apply to a wide range of people inside and outside the organization who are involved in the use or delivery of AI systems.

1. Employees

Those directly interacting with, managing, or overseeing AI systems.

2. Other Persons (Operators)

• Contractors (building or maintaining AI)

• Service Providers (e.g., outsourcing data processing)

• Consultants/Advisors (legal, technical, strategic input)

• Temporary or Agency Staff

3. Affected Persons

Individuals subject to AI-driven decisions (clients, service users, the public). Per Recital 20, they should be:

• Aware of how AI influences decisions

• Informed about outcomes impacting their rights,

• Aware of rights, redress mechanisms, and human oversight options.

Note: While organizations aren’t required to provide formal ‘training’ to affected persons, clear, accessible information must be made available to ensure transparency.

5. Tailoring Training to Roles and Context

Knowledge should be tailored to the role and the system’s impact. AI literacy must be contextual and proportional. This means taking into account:

• The technical capacity of individuals

• Their educational and experiential backgrounds

• The type of AI used

For example, a field technician operating automated heavy machinery needs different training than a marketing executive using generative tools.

No one-size-fits-all program will suffice. Article 4 compliance demands a risk-based, tailored approach.

6. Compliance in Practice: Your AI Literacy Questions Answered

Implementing AI literacy often raises practical challenges. This section provides clear guidance to help you navigate compliance confidently.

1.What format should training take? There’s flexibility—workshops, e-learning modules, onboarding briefings, etc. What matters is relevance, sufficiency, and documentation.

2.What are the enforcement and oversight mechanisms? There are two types:

• Private Enforcement (already active): Individuals can raise concerns or complaints if AI literacy is lacking.

• Public Enforcement (starts August 2025): National Market Surveillance Authorities will begin oversight and inspections.

3.Penalties? Yes. Each country will determine penalties based on the severity and consequences of non-compliance.

4. Does AI literacy apply to non-EU companies? Yes. If your AI system or AI-assisted decision-making affects people in the EU, you’re within scope—even if based elsewhere.

5.What about basic tools like ChatGPT? Even seemingly low-risk uses (e.g., writing or translation support) must be accompanied by staff awareness of:

• Potential bias

• Hallucinations or misinformation

• Over-reliance or misuse

6.Do organizations need to test AI literacy? There’s no formal test requirement,but training completion and content should be documented clearly, demonstrating due diligence during any regulatory audits.

7.Should AI service providers include AI literacy in contracts? Depends on:

• The risk level of the service

• The scope of responsibilities

• Mutual contractual obligations

It is advisable when subcontractors or partners play a critical role in developing, integrating or managing AI systems.

8.Who helps SMEs? European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) are key support actors. They offer:

• Tailored training programs

• Expert guidance

• Help with building internal AI capacity

7. Getting Started: A Quick Roadmap

Taking your first steps toward AI literacy? Follow this roadmap to quickly understand what matters most and how to get started.

1. Map all roles interacting with AI systems

2. Classify AI use cases based on risk

3. Tailor literacy content to each role’s responsibilities

4. Deliver training via appropriate formats (e.g., live, on-demand, onboarding)

5. Track and document training completion

AI literacy is more than a requirement—it’s a strategic enabler. It builds trust, empowers your teams, and fuels responsible innovation. The EU AI Act raises the bar—and with the right mindset and support, your organization can rise to meet it.

With Validaitor, AI literacy becomes your competitive edge. We help you embed AI fluency across your organization—because in a world powered by intelligent systems, understanding AI isn’t optional. It’s essential.