EU AI Act: Understanding the “AI Literacy” Principle
The EU AI Act stands as the world’s first comprehensive legislation governing the commercialization and use of artificial intelligence (AI). Among its various provisions, the “AI literacy” principle emerges as a critical obligation that mandates organizations to ensure their staff possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to assess AI-related risks and opportunities. This requirement is set to take effect from February 2, 2025, and applies to all AI systems, regardless of the level of risk they present.
What is AI Literacy?
Defined by the EU AI Act, AI literacy encompasses the skills, knowledge, and understanding required for the informed use and operation of AI systems. This principle aims to enhance awareness of the potential opportunities, risks, and harms associated with AI. The ultimate goal is to empower staff to make informed decisions regarding AI, including interpreting AI outputs and understanding the implications of AI decision-making processes on individuals.
Who Needs to Comply?
Compliance with the EU AI Act is required from both providers and users of AI systems. Organizations must take appropriate measures to ensure that their personnel are adequately trained in AI literacy. This obligation extends to all AI systems covered by the Act, including those classified as “limited risk,” such as AI chatbots. The training should be commensurate with the risk level associated with the AI system.
What is the Requirement?
Organizations must “take measures to ensure, to their best extent, a sufficient level of AI literacy.” This requirement entails aligning the level of AI literacy with the technical knowledge, experience, education, and training of relevant staff, as well as considering the context in which the AI system is utilized. Although a high threshold exists for compliance, an element of proportionality is also applied.
How to Comply?
While the EU AI Act does not prescribe specific compliance methods, organizations may consider the following steps:
- Identify AI Usage/Development: Assess how employees currently use or plan to use AI.
- Assess Understanding of AI: Evaluate employees’ AI knowledge through surveys or quizzes to identify gaps.
- Leverage Internal Expertise: Utilize the skills of relevant internal teams for program development and delivery.
- Leverage External Expertise: Engage external experts or recruit personnel with the necessary skills, especially for high-risk AI decision-making.
- Develop an AI Literacy Program: Create a tailored program with clear objectives and relevant curriculum.
- Distribute and Train: Provide engaging training materials across various platforms.
- Encourage Practical Experience: Facilitate real-world applications of AI knowledge.
- Implement Feedback Mechanisms: Collect feedback and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure impact.
- Document Thoroughly: Maintain detailed records of training activities to demonstrate compliance.
- Regularly Update: Continuously refresh the program to align with evolving requirements.
What Regulatory Guidance Exists?
Although AI literacy-related guidance is currently sparse, the EU AI Act empowers the EU AI Office to collaborate with member states in creating voluntary codes of conduct promoting AI literacy. National Data Protection Authorities are also stepping in to clarify the AI literacy principle, with some, like the Dutch Data Protection Authority, actively engaging stakeholders to ensure adequate AI knowledge among organizations.
When to Comply?
The EU AI Act will enter into application gradually, with most obligations becoming enforceable by August 2, 2026. However, the requirement for AI literacy will take effect earlier, on February 2, 2025. Organizations must prepare to develop and implement AI literacy measures within this tight timeframe.
This summary encapsulates the key elements of the EU AI Act’s AI literacy principle, underscoring the importance of equipping staff with the necessary knowledge to navigate the complexities of AI responsibly.
