The Commission aims to increase the number of AI experts by training and attracting more researchers and professionals, and by improving the AI skills of workers and the general population.
AI literacy in the AI Act
Article 4 of the AI Act entered into application on 2 February 2025. It requires providers and deployers of AI systems to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy of their staff and other persons dealing with AI systems on their behalf. To do so, providers and deployers should consider people’s technical knowledge, experience, education and training and the context in which the AI systems are to be used, including the persons targeted by such AI systems. The Q&A on AI literacy provides more information on the requirements and enforcement of article 4 of the AI Act.
The supervision and enforcement of article 4 is in the remit of the national market surveillance authorities that will be nominated by 2 August 2025. Meanwhile, the AI Office is working closely with affected organisations and Member States in the AI Board to support the implementation of and possible compliance with this article. Specifically:
- In February 2025, the AI Office published a living repository of AI literacy practices, gathering examples of initiatives from more than 20 AI Pact pledgers.
- In April 2025, the AI Office has opened a survey for all providers and deployers of AI systems that would like to share their experience. Responses will be used to regularly update the living repository.
- To present the repository and the activities related to article 4 of the AI Act, the AI Office also organised an AI Pact webinar on AI literacy.
Disclaimer: Replicating the practices collected in the living repository does not automatically grant presumption of compliance with Article 4 of the AI Act. By publishing the practices, the Commission does not imply either endorsement or evaluation in any way.
Initiatives supporting AI talent, skills and literacy
On 9 April 2025, the Commission published the AI Continent Action Plan to make Europe a global leader in AI.
To expand the EU's pool of AI specialists, the Action Plan outlines several initiatives. These aim to:
- Train the next generation of AI experts based in the EU by increasing the overall offer of European bachelor's and master's degrees, and PhDs in AI but also by launching the AI Skills Academy. The Academy will offer education and training programmes on AI and in particular generative AI. It will upskill and reskill students and professionals in key sectors and develop a pilot generative AI-focused degree. This will enable top-level experts in generative AI to educate and train the AI Skills Academy’s students, while advancing their own research in the field. The Academy will also pilot an AI apprenticeship programme and develop ‘scholarship’ and ‘returnship’ schemes to attract more women to the field of AI.
- Incentivise European talent to stay and return to the EU by supporting the development of AI fellowship schemes. These schemes will enable highly skilled EU and non-EU PhD candidates as well as young professionals living outside the EU to work in EU-based entities.
- Attract and retain skilled AI talent from non-EU countries (including researchers) through the Talent Pool initiative, the Multipurpose Legal Gateway Offices, the Talent Partnerships and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action ‘MSCA Choose Europe’. The latter action will co-fund recruitment programmes to attract excellent international AI researchers, enabling universities and research organisations to link their MSCA grants to long-term prospects within the institution including, for example, competitions for permanent positions.
To further support upskilling and reskilling of workers, the Action Plan focuses on the role of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), which will increase skills and training services on AI.
To increase the EU citizen's understanding of AI, the Action Plan underlines the importance of raising awareness on AI literacy and fostering dialogue on AI for all, including through the initiatives started in the context of the implementation of article 4 of the AI Act.
On 5 March 2025, the Commission published the Union of Skills to support the development of our Union's human capital and strengthen the EU competitiveness. The Communication focuses on four workstreams:
- building skills for life through a solid education foundation
- upskill and reskill to ensure future-oriented skill
- circulate and allocate skills to unlock the full potential of the single market
- attract and retain skills from third countries to address skills shortages and develop top talent in Europe
The Union of Skills Communication is accompanied by an Action Plan on Basic Skills and a STEM Education Strategic Plan. These initiatives aim to improve skills in science, technology, engineering, and maths, promote STEM careers, attract more girls and women, and boost preparedness in the face of digital and clean-tech transitions. The Union of Skills Communication also announced a 2030 Roadmap on the future of digital education and skills and an initiative on AI in Education. The latter which will support the development of AI literacy for primary and secondary education and foster the strategic and ethical uptake of AI in education. This includes support and capacity building for teachers and education institutions.
Other policy initiatives:
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