AI literacy training is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a legal requirement. But most trainings fail to meet the moment. Here’s what needs to change.
Since February 2025, Article 4 of the EU AI Act is in force. It obliges all professionals working with AI systems—whether providers, deployers, or users—to demonstrate “sufficient AI competence” based on their role and the people affected. That sounds abstract. But it’s not.
If you’re using tools like ChatGPT, automated CV screening, or AI-supported decision systems at work, this regulation applies to you.
This is a core shift in digital literacy – AI literacy is now a legal necessity.
This isn’t just another compliance issue. It’s a turning point for the European labor market—and a unique opportunity to shape the future of work in ways that are fair, inclusive, and visionary.
From compliance to empowerment: a feminist perspective on AI literacy and education
At FemAI, we reviewed the current training landscape for AI Officers across Europe. What we found: most programs are not made with women in mind.
Few address gender bias in AI. Even fewer offer inclusive learning environments or recognize that empowerment, digital resilience, and self-leadership are essential competencies for navigating AI at work.
AI literacy frameworks must go beyond technical skills—they must reflect ethical, emotional, and social competence.
AI literacy is more than technical know-how. It’s about understanding the social impact of technology, identifying risks, and being able to act responsibly and confidently in digital spaces.
What’s missing and what we’re building
To meet the requirements of Article 4, we don’t just need more trainings. We need better AI literacy training.
That’s why we are designing the first feminist AI Officer program in Europe—tailored to the needs of women and underrepresented groups. Our curriculum combines:
- Core AI knowledge, aligned with EU legal requirements
- Digital resilience & self-leadership
- Gender-aware risk assessment & ethical reflection
- Empowerment strategies for navigating power, technology & transformation
The goal? Not just to “use AI properly.” But to enable women to shape it.
This is where AI literacy meets purpose – and where EU AI Act literacy requirements turn into real-world empowerment.
The AI Act: a law that changes everything about literacy and responsibility
Article 4 marks a cultural shift. It acknowledges what we at FemAI have long advocated: AI is not neutral. And those who work with it must be equipped to handle its impact—on people, on power structures, and on society.
This regulation is also a message:
- AI is too important to be left to the few.
- AI competence must be democratized.
- Women must be part of shaping how AI is used in everyday working life.
