AI is no longer hype. It is deeply woven into how we work: from recruitment to customer service, from planning to content creation. And with the advent of the European AI Act, things are now changing legally. Not only for companies, but also for you as an employee.
From 1 August 2026, the AI Act comes fully into force, however from 2 August 2024, the transition period for businesses started. Within that period, organisations using AI from 2 February 2025 already meet some concrete obligations. And you will have a key role in that.
AI literacy is no longer a nice-to-have
Are you using AI at work? Then your employer must prove that you know what you are doing. Not technical? No problem. It's not about coding, it's about understanding. You must:
- understand what AI does and does not do;
- Be able to recognise risks, such as biases or erroneous output;
- know when AI is useful and when it is not;
- Be able to responsibly handle AI tools.
How deep your knowledge should go? It depends on your role. An HR professional using AI to screen CVs has different needs than a marketer using AI for copywriting.
Why this will make you stronger
AI literacy is more than following legislation. It is investing in yourself.
- You learn to think critically in a digital world.
- You work smarter with fewer repetitive tasks.
- You increase your employability and attractiveness in the labour market.
- You get a grip on change, rather than being overwhelmed by it.
In short: you feel more confident, you make more impact, and you stay relevant.
What should your employer do?
The AI Act requires companies to support you. Think of this as offering training tailored to your role, providing clear guidelines on what you can and cannot do with AI and, of course, being a point of contact for questions or concerns.
Don't you get any explanation or training when you should be working with AI? If so, that is a red flag. The law explicitly emphasises transparency and accountability.
Can you refuse AI?
Yes, in some cases they even have to. Certain AI applications will be banned from February 2025. These include:
- systems that manipulate people;
- AI taking advantage of vulnerable situations;
- Social scoring: giving people a score based on behaviour;
- facial recognition without consent.
Are you asked to use such a system? Then you may refuse - indeed, you are even protected by law in this decision.
What can you do today already?
You don't have to become an AI specialist at all. You do need to take a conscious and critical look at the AI systems being used as well as the output they bring.
- Ask for explanations about AI systems you use.
- Ask questions: who controls the output? What does the AI rely on?
- Attend training courses - even if they are not mandatory (yet).
- Know your rights: AI may not automatically review your work.
Summary
The AI Act changes your work. Not radically, but fundamentally. You get the right to explanation, training and support. You are allowed to reject high-risk systems. AND you become point final co-responsible for smart and safe AI use within your organisation.
In short, those who learn today will be stronger tomorrow. After reading our blog, do you want to get started concretely with AI literacy in your organisation or team? We would be happy to help you.
