Artificial intelligence is everywhere. It generates content, personalizes our online experiences and assists companies in their decision-making. But are we really ready to use it in an informed way? AI Literacy is no longer an option, it is a necessity.
Far from being a simple recommendation, the European AI Act requires us, as companies and professionals, to ensure that our employees understand, manage and use AI in a responsible way. This challenge goes beyond simple acculturation: it is a question of establishing a framework for AI culture, guaranteeing the ethical and effective adoption of this technology.
Missing AI training and literacy means running the risk of bad decisions, lack of transparency and non-compliance with new regulations. The EU has understood this and has transformed this awareness into a legal obligation. Companies must now act, or face sanctions and a loss of competitiveness.
Why is AI Literacy essential?
Recent studies show that we lack benchmarks on the functioning and impact of AI.
- A survey by the Pew Research Center reveals that only 30% of Americans recognize AI applications in their daily lives.
- The 2024 State of Marketing AI Report indicates that 67% of marketing professionals see the lack of training as a major obstacle to the adoption of AI.
- According to McKinsey, managing the risks of AI – such as confidentiality issues or the transparency of algorithms – is becoming a major concern for companies.
These findings underline our need to demystify AI, train our employees in its use and oversee its deployment in our organizations.
Understanding AI control
AI Literacy is not limited to a technical understanding of artificial intelligence systems. It also encompasses the ability to use these technologies effectively, to evaluate them critically and to understand their ethical and societal implications. It is about equipping each individual with the skills necessary to interact responsibly with AI, without requiring in-depth technical expertise.
Key components of AI literacy
1. Technical understanding of AI
Our teams must grasp the fundamental principles of how AI works, including how systems perceive the world, collect and process data, and make decisions or recommendations.
2. Critical thinking about AI
Our employees must be able to evaluate AI technologies with discernment, understand the context of their use and question their design and implementation. This skill is crucial to identifying the benefits and challenges associated with AI.
3. Ethical considerations
Awareness of the ethical implications of AI is essential. This includes recognizing potential biases, privacy issues and social impacts, thus ensuring the responsible and equitable use of AI.
The AI Act and AI literacy
What does Article 4 of the AI Act say?
Article 4 of the AI Act stipulates that the providers and deployers of AI systems must guarantee a sufficient level of AI Literacy among their staff. This requirement involves several key aspects.
First of all, the technical skills and experience of employees must be appropriate for the type of AI systems used. It is not just a question of understanding how AI models work, but also of assessing their limitations and potential impacts.
Secondly, the context of use of AI systems must be taken into account. Each company must identify how AI is applied in its processes and ensure that employees have the necessary knowledge to use it effectively and safely.
Finally, the needs of end users are a central element. Companies must ensure that the technologies deployed meet ethical and regulatory requirements, guaranteeing transparency and optimal understanding for stakeholders.
Consequences of AI for companies
The AI Act requires companies to take concrete measures to guarantee control of AI. This involves setting up training programs for all users, also adapted to the different levels of skills and the specificities of the professions involved, such as:
Human resources: HR teams must understand the ethical and legal implications of AI tools used in recruitment and talent management.
Financial services: fraud detection and risk management require a thorough understanding of AI models applied to transactions.
Development and IT: engineers and developers must follow best practices in the design, governance, documentation and deployment of responsible AI.
Deadlines and obligations
Since February 2, 2025, all organizations developing or using AI systems must prove their compliance with the requirements of the AI Act within the calendar timeframe. This compliance is not limited to initial training, but involves continuous monitoring and regular updates of employee skills.
This is not just a regulatory issue, but also a strategic one. Companies that invest in AI literacy will be better positioned to take advantage of this technology, reducing risks and maximizing their competitiveness.
How can we develop an AI culture in our organization?
1. Raising awareness and acculturation to AI
We can already organize awareness campaigns on the ethical and regulatory issues of AI. But we can also train our employees to identify the uses of AI in their work environment.
2. Training and continuous learning of AI
For training purposes, you can set up learning programs tailored to different user profiles, but also offer interdisciplinary training involving several departments.
3. Interactive training practices thanks to AI
A good way to train teams is to integrate practical cases and simulations to anchor knowledge, and thus organize workshops during your seminars to promote the exchange of good practices.
4. Monitoring and evaluation of AI skills
Finally, to monitor the impact of these training courses, it is recommended that quality indicators for training programs be put in place. In addition, you can monitor the skills acquired and adjust the training courses according to technological developments.
AI literacy is a central pillar of AI governance. The AI Act transforms what was once good practice into a legal obligation, committing us to train and empower our employees on the uses of AI. From 2025, we will not only need to understand AI technologies, but also ensure that our employees are able to use them in an informed and regulatory compliant manner.
Faced with these challenges, we must adopt a proactive approach, developing a culture of AI within our organizations to ensure a smooth and regulatory-compliant transition to a future where AI will play a central role.
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