AI Training for Employees: Putting the EU AI Act Into Practice

The AI competence obligation under Article 4 of the EU AI Act has applied since February 2, 2025. But how do you implement it in daily practice without turning it into a huge project? This guide summarizes the key steps.

Step 1: Identify the people affected

Training should be provided to all employees who deal directly with an AI system, and where applicable to commissioned service providers. Since the line between work-related and private use can be fluid, the BMDS recommends basic training for as many employees as possible (source: BMDS/BeKI, "Implementation requirement" and "Target groups").

Step 2: Choose the right timing

• Introductory training before the first use of an AI system.
• Regular refreshers (for example, annually).
• As-needed for system changes, updates or regulatory changes.
• Deeper training for high-risk AI.

(Source: BMDS/BeKI, "Timing & repetition.")

Step 3: Define the format

Various formats are permitted, interactive eLearning modules, in-person workshops, webinars, blended learning, ideally each with a final quiz or certification to verify learning outcomes (source: BMDS/BeKI, "Training methodology"). Online self-study offerings are particularly efficient for basic awareness training across large workforces.

Step 4: Document the evidence

A certificate is not legally required, but a record of the trainings carried out is useful: proof of attendance and content, documentation of competence levels (for example, training passports) and traceability for audits (source: BMDS/BeKI, "Documentation and proof obligations"). This is exactly where verifiable individual certificates plus a team overview help.

Step 5: Embed it into processes

The BMDS recommends integrating AI competence into onboarding and continuing education programs and linking it with IT security and data protection training. A dedicated governance structure (for example, an AI officer) is not required, but it can help (source: BMDS/BeKI, "Integration into organizational processes").

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Sources

• Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (AI Regulation / EU AI Act), EUR-Lex: eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj
• European Commission, "AI literacy: Questions & Answers": digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
• BMDS (Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernisation) / Advisory Centre for Artificial Intelligence (BeKI): "Building AI competence under Art. 4 AI Act (AI Regulation), guidance for basic training" (Oct. 2025): bmds.bund.de

This article is general information and does not replace legal advice.