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Article 4 of 1134%

Article 4: AI literacy

Article 4 has applied since 2 February 2025 and was amended on 27 July 2026. Providers and deployers must take measures that support the development of AI literacy, taking account of knowledge, experience, education, context of use and impact. They do not have to guarantee a specific individual level.

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Praxikon tracks Article 4 (AI literacy) under the EU AI Act, citing the source for every statement.

EU Official:
ActiveIn force since 2 Feb 2025
Title I: General Provisions

Article 4 of the EU AI Act has applied since 2 February 2025. Since 27 July 2026, providers and deployers must take measures to support the development of AI literacy. Those measures should reflect technical knowledge, experience, education, the context of use and affected persons. The law does not require a specific individual level, standard course or certificate.

Legally reviewed on 30 July 2026 · Zahed Ashkara

Official text

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Source: EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2026/1744. Amended text of Article 4 reproduced.

View amending regulation →

Decision tree

What does Article 4 require of your organisation?

Article 4 requires measures that support the AI literacy of your people, suited to their role and the context. It does not prescribe a course, certificate or test.

Question 1 · Art. 4(1) · Art. 3(1)

Does your organisation develop, supply or use one or more AI systems, including a chatbot or an AI feature in office software?

Full diagram
  1. 1

    Does your organisation develop, supply or use one or more AI systems, including a chatbot or an AI feature in office software?

    Art. 4(1) · Art. 3(1)

    • Yes → Question 2
    • No → Outcome A
  2. 2

    Is it only use by yourself as a natural person, for a purely personal, non-professional activity?

    Art. 3(4) · Art. 2(10)

    • Yes → Outcome B
    • No, it is professional → Question 3
  3. 3

    What is your role regarding the AI system?

    Art. 4(1) · Art. 3(3) en 4

    • Provider → Question 4
    • Deployer → Question 4
    • Only importer or distributor → Outcome C
  4. 4

    Do you know which staff members and which other persons deal with the AI systems on your behalf, such as contractors or service providers, and in which context?

    Art. 4(1)

    • Yes → Question 5
    • No, not yet → Outcome D
  5. 5

    Have you taken measures per role or group that fit their technical knowledge, experience, education and training, the context of use and the persons on whom the systems are used?

    Art. 4(1)

    • Yes → Question 6
    • No, or only generic → Outcome E
  6. 6

    Can you show which measures you took, for whom, when, and how you review them periodically?

    Art. 4(1)

    • Yes → Question 7
    • No → Outcome F
  7. 7

    Do you also use or supply a high-risk AI system?

    Art. 26(2) · art. 14

    • Yes → Outcome H
    • No → Outcome G

Outcome A · Does not apply

Article 4 does not apply to you now

Without an AI system you are not a provider or deployer and Article 4 does not apply. Do check your software: AI features often sit in existing packages.

Art. 4(1) · Art. 3(1)

Outcome B · Does not apply

No obligation for purely personal use

A person using an AI system for a purely personal, non-professional activity is not a deployer. Article 4 then does not apply.

Art. 3(4) · Art. 2(10)

Outcome C · Does not apply

Article 4 only names providers and deployers

If you are only an importer or distributor, Article 4 does not rest on you. If your organisation also uses AI systems itself, you are a deployer for that use.

Art. 4(1) · Art. 3(4) · Art. 3(6) · Art. 3(7)

Outcome D · Applies

Article 4 applies: start with an overview

The obligation has applied since 2 February 2025, in its current wording since 27 July 2026. Without an overview of systems, roles and context you cannot choose suitable measures.

Art. 4(1) · art. 113 onder a

Outcome E · Applies

Article 4 applies: take measures per role

You must take measures that support the development of AI literacy, taking into account knowledge, experience, education and context. You need not guarantee any individual level. A certificate, minimum number of hours or test is not prescribed.

Art. 4(1)

Outcome F · Partly applies

Measures taken, but not yet demonstrable

You demonstrate an obligation to take measures with a record of the measures taken. The law prescribes no format; an internal record per role is a practical way.

Art. 4(1)

Outcome G · Applies

You comply with Article 4 in principle

Keep the record up to date for new systems, new roles and new people. The Commission publishes practical examples of compliance; use them as a benchmark.

Art. 4(1) · Art. 4(2)

Outcome H · Partly applies

Article 4 in order; human oversight requires more

For high-risk systems the obligations go further than Article 4. The provider designs the system so that effective human oversight is possible (Article 14). The deployer assigns human oversight to persons with the necessary competence, training and authority (Article 26(2)). For Annex III systems these obligations apply from 2 December 2027, for systems under Annex I from 2 August 2028.

Art. 4(1) · Art. 26(2) · art. 14 · art. 113 onder c

A decision tree simplifies. If you are unsure at a question, read the provision or have it assessed. Checked against the legal text on 1 October 2026.

Official guidance on this article

8

What does this mean for you?

Provider+
Take measures that support the development of AI literacy among staff and others operating or using AI systems on your behalf. Tailor the measures to knowledge, experience, education, context and impact.
Deployer+
Determine what guidance fits staff and others using AI systems on your behalf. Training can help alongside work instructions, practical support and periodic updates.
SME / Startup+
Start by mapping AI use, roles and risks. Then choose feasible measures and keep an internal record of why they fit your context. Article 4 contains no general SME exemption.
Public Sector+
Connect AI literacy to specific public processes and potential citizen impact. The law requires no fixed individual level, but context and affected persons must be considered.

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Related enforcement

No enforcement actions for this article yet. Follow developments via the Enforcement Tracker.

Related blog posts

Cross-references

Recitals

Frequently asked questions

What is AI literacy under the AI Act?+
AI literacy covers the skills, knowledge and understanding that help people use AI systems in an informed way and understand opportunities, risks and potential harm. Article 4 requires providers and deployers to take measures that support its development.
Who does the AI literacy obligation apply to?+
Article 4 addresses providers and deployers of AI systems. Their measures must cover staff and other persons operating and using AI systems on their behalf.
When does Article 4 on AI literacy apply?+
Article 4 has applied since 2 February 2025. The amended wording in Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 has applied since 27 July 2026.
Does everyone need to reach the same AI literacy level?+
No. Article 4 expressly states that providers and deployers do not have to guarantee a specific level of AI literacy for any individual. Measures may differ by role and context.
Is a specific AI literacy training mandatory?+
No. Article 4 does not prescribe a specific training or standard course. Training can be an appropriate measure alongside guidance, work instructions and practical support.
How should Article 4 measures be documented?+
The European Commission says organisations can keep internal records of training and other guiding initiatives. Also record why measures fit the relevant knowledge, experience, education, context of use and impact.
Is a certificate mandatory under Article 4?+
No. The European Commission says no certificate is needed. A certificate can still form part of an internal record with training records, guidance and periodic review.
Is there a fixed Article 4 fine?+
There is no separate fixed fine amount for Article 4. From August 2026, national market surveillance authorities may apply proportionate sanctions or other enforcement measures under national law and based on the circumstances of the case.
Does the AI literacy obligation apply if I only use ChatGPT or Copilot?+
Article 4 can also be relevant when ChatGPT or Copilot is used for work. The European Commission explicitly says staff should then be informed about specific risks such as hallucinations.

What Article 4 requires in practice

Connections

What connects to Article 4 AI Act