Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · EU AI Act: foundations

Updated

AI literacy (AI Act)

Also known as: AI literacy

AI literacy is the skills, knowledge and understanding that allow providers, deployers and affected persons to use AI systems in an informed way and to understand their opportunities, risks and possible harm. Under the EU AI Act as amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/1744, providers and deployers must take measures to support the development of AI literacy among their staff and other persons operating or using AI systems on their behalf. They do not have to guarantee a specific level of AI literacy for each individual.

  • AI regulation
  • EU

In one sentence

AI literacy under the AI Act: providers and deployers must take measures to support it among the people using their AI systems — no set level per person.

Example

A bank introducing an AI assistant for loan officers trains them on what the assistant can and cannot do, how to check its output and when to escalate.

How it applies

  • Who: Providers and deployers of all AI systems, whatever their risk level — which makes it the most widely applicable duty of the Act.
  • What: Measures such as training, guidance and documentation that fit the staff's technical knowledge, experience and the context of use. The Act does not prescribe a certificate, a format or a competence level each person must reach.
  • Digital Omnibus: Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 replaced Article 4. The original duty to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy became a duty to take measures that support its development; no specific level has to be guaranteed for each individual. The duty itself remains.
  • Technical documentation: Clear instructions, onboarding material and in-product guidance are the practical means of AI literacy. Technical writers are often the people who deliver it.

Compared with the USA, Canada and China

No binding AI literacy duty exists at federal level in the USA or Canada; America's AI Action Plan and Canada's AI strategy promote AI skills as policy goals. China promotes AI education through national policy rather than a duty on each company.