AI literacy under Article 4 of the EU AI Act: what SMEs in Ireland should do now
One step now: make your free Article 4 record (no account; your data stays in your browser; a fictional demo company shows how it looks first). Article 4 does not require a paid course or a certificate.
What does Article 4 say?
Article 4 asks providers and deployers of AI systems to take measures to support the AI literacy of their staff and of other people who use AI on their behalf (a contractor, for example). Since the 2026 Digital Omnibus amendment no specific ‘sufficient level’ is mandated, but the obligation remains.
- Applies since 2 February 2025, to any AI system, not only high-risk AI.
- No certificate needed; an internal record of trainings or other guidance is enough.
- No mandatory knowledge test and no mandatory AI officer.
- National market surveillance authorities supervise and enforce it from August 2026.
Who supervises it in Ireland?
Ireland uses a distributed model. The AI Office of Ireland (Oifig IS na hÉireann), an independent statutory body set up under the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026, coordinates implementation of the EU AI Act (Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment) and is listed as Ireland’s single point of contact on the European Commission list. Existing sectoral regulators are designated as market surveillance authorities by S.I. No. 366 of 2025 as amended by S.I. No. 405 of 2026. Which regulator is relevant depends on your sector.
What to do this week
- List your AI tools. Write down every AI system and AI feature your business uses or offers (chatbots, writing assistants, translation, AI inside your accounting or HR software).
- Brief your staff. For each tool, explain what it may be used for, its risks (such as made-up answers) and what must not go into it (such as customers’ personal data).
- Keep a dated record. Note who received which briefing or training, and when. That record is your evidence.
Free tools
- EURO AI Register: free for your first AI system, with a printable Article 4 record. Your data stays in your browser.
- Free risk-tier checker: estimate in a few minutes which risk tier an AI system is likely to fall into.
Pricing
The Register is free for one AI system. Membership is US$19 a month and unlocks unlimited systems. The price is set in US dollars; the euro amount depends on your bank’s or card’s exchange rate.
Official sources
- European Commission: AI literacy – questions & answers
- European Commission: market surveillance authorities under the AI Act
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2024/1689
- DETE: AI Office of Ireland
- DETE: S.I. No. 405 of 2026
Not legal advice. This is an independent explainer, not a publication of the EU or any government. The Register is a record-keeping tool, not proof of compliance. Last checked 13 Oct 2026.
Prepared by the Unadhi EURO AI team. AI-built, human-reviewed. Not legal advice.