AI Training for Leaders: What Leaders Need to Know About AI

Managers do not need programming skills to use AI, but four things: a realistic picture of what AI can do in their own area, the obligations under the EU AI Act and data protection, clear rules for their team and the knowledge of how to accompany an introduction – including the involvement of the works council. A separate AI training course for managers therefore complements the basic training of employees.

When AI arrives in the company, the questions end up with the management: Are we allowed to do this? What is the point? Who is liable? How do we take the team with us? This article shows what content a training course for managers should have.

1. Evaluate potential realistically

Managers must be able to assess where AI helps in their own area and where it doesn't. Good candidates are recurring text tasks, summarizing and reading documents, queries that are answered according to patterns, and research. Less suitable are decisions with great consequences without human review. Those who know the limits set realistic goals and avoid disappointed expectations.

2. Know your obligations: EU AI Act and data protection

A compact overview is provided in the article EU AI Act for SMEs; the obligation to train explains AI competence according to Art. 4.

3. Involve the works council at an early stage

In companies with a works council, AI is expressly covered by the Works Constitution Act. According to Section 90 (1) No. 3 BetrVG, the employer must inform the works council in good time about the planning of work processes and workflows "including the use of artificial intelligence". If the works council has to assess the introduction or application of AI, the involvement of an expert is considered necessary under Section 80 (3) BetrVG. Those who involve the works council at an early stage avoid delays and create trust.

4. Set rules: the AI Directive

Managers make sure that it is clear in the team which tools are allowed, which data is allowed in and who checks results. These rules belong in a written AI policy. Without them, shadow AI is created: Employees use private accounts, and no one knows what data goes where.

5. Accompany the introduction

1. Start with a pilot area and a concrete task.
2. Make goals measurable, such as processing time or the number of completed requests.
3. Train the team before tools are rolled out widely.
4. Gain experience and sharpen rules.
5. Make successes visible so that other areas follow suit.

How to reduce reservations in the team is described in the article AI acceptance among employees.

6. Try it out for yourself

Credible leadership is achieved by those who know the tools themselves. Training for managers should therefore not only teach rules, but also exercises: summarizing protocols, structuring decision templates, revising texts.

This is how the specialization for managers is structured

In our AI training for companies, in addition to the half-day basic training for everyone, there is a specialization for managers of about two hours: AI strategy, responsibility according to the EU AI Act, AI Directive, introduction in the team. On-site or online, with certificate of participation. If you would also like support with strategy and the selection of use cases, you will find it in AI consulting.

Funding: Pure training is usually not subsidized by INQA coaching, because the program promotes consulting. If the AI introduction is accompanied as INQA coaching in its entirety, the federal government will cover 80% of the consulting costs of up to €1,200 per day for up to 12 days. The funding check shows which programs are suitable for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should AI training for leaders include?

Potentials and limits of AI in one's own area, obligations under the EU AI Act and data protection, the involvement of the works council, rules in the form of an AI guideline and the procedure for introducing it in the team.

Does the works council have to be involved in AI?

According to Section 90 (1) No. 3 BetrVG, the employer must inform the works council in good time about the planning of work procedures, including the use of AI. Depending on the tool, other participation rights may apply.

Does the obligation to provide training under the AI Act also apply to managers?

Art. 4 applies to all personnel who work with AI systems. Managers also have responsibility for ensuring that the measures are implemented as a team.

How long does a training course for managers take?

At bettersorted, the in-depth training for managers lasts about two hours and complements the half-day basic training.

Sources: § 90 and § 80 BetrVG (gesetze-im-internet.de); Art. 4 AI Regulation as amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/1744.