AI literacy and certification in industry.
Dutch industry lags behind the front runners in AI adoption, but the significance is growing rapidly. According to an ING thematic study from 2025, around 18% of industrial companies use AI; among large industrial companies (250+ employees), that figure rises to 64%. TNO noted in 2026 that the Netherlands has 264 robots per 10,000 employees.
What is at play
What is at play in industry.
ASML, Philips, VDL, Tata Steel and FrieslandCampina deploy AI for predictive maintenance, computer vision in quality inspection, process optimisation and generative design copilots. FME and Smart Industry have jointly launched a free AI learning path for manufacturing together with AIC4NL. Siemens has highlighted industrial copilots for engineering, planning, operations and service. The ING study also points to declining software capital in industry.
Why AI literacy matters here
The Annex I route via product safety.
For industry, the AI Act applies through the Annex I route via product safety legislation: AI functioning as a safety component in products covered by the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, or in lifts, pressure equipment, toys or radio equipment, automatically qualifies as high-risk. For AI integrated in products, the obligations apply from 2 August 2028. Beyond these, the revised product liability rules, NIS2 for cyber resilience, the Cyber Resilience Act and NEN-EN-ISO/IEC 42001 for AI management systems all apply.
The four SAIG levels for industry
Four levels, one scheme.
For production staff who work tangentially with AI systems.
For operators, technicians and quality inspectors who use AI in daily process control.
For process engineers, R&D engineers, product designers and maintenance planners who independently assess AI output.
For plant managers, quality managers, OT security specialists, AI/data engineers, CTOs and safety experts (conformity under the Machinery Regulation and AI Act).
Which level fits which role?
Role and recommended level.
| Role | AI contact | Recommended level |
|---|---|---|
| Production employee, warehouse employee | tangential | Awareness Badge |
| Operator, technician, quality inspector | daily AI oversight | Basis |
| Process engineer, product designer, R&D engineer | assesses AI in process chain | Practitioner |
| Maintenance planner, data engineer | works with model output | Practitioner |
| Plant manager, quality manager, safety expert | conformity and governance | Advanced |
| OT security specialist, CTO, AI Officer | NIS2, AI Act, product liability | Advanced |
For organisations and for professionals
One standard, two tracks.
For industrial companies, SAIG offers a structured approach to fulfilling Article 4 that aligns with product safety pathways under the Machinery Regulation and with NIS2 duty-of-care obligations. The framework covers every role group, from operator to CTO. For individual professionals, the certificate is a verifiable proof of AI competence that travels with them between employers.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about AI in industry.
When is an AI system in industry high-risk?
When it functions as a safety component in a product under EU harmonisation legislation (such as the Machinery Regulation). Obligations for these Annex I products apply from 2 August 2028.
Is SAIG mandatory for industry?
No. Article 4 requires a sufficient level of AI literacy; SAIG certification is one way to make that demonstrable.
How does SAIG relate to ISO/IEC 42001?
ISO/IEC 42001 is an AI management system standard for organisations; SAIG certifies individuals. Both are complementary.
Which level suits a process engineer?
Practitioner is generally the core level; Advanced for those with primary responsibility over models.
Does NIS2 also apply to industry?
For essential and important entities yes; check the classification per organisation under the Cyberbeveiligingswet.
What changes on 2 August 2026?
Enforcement of Article 4 begins; for AI integrated in products (Annex I) the obligations apply from 2 August 2028.
Next step
Schedule an orientation call.
We discuss what Article 4 means specifically for your organisation in industry and which SAIG route fits your roles and risk profile.
Sources: ING Research thematic study "AI in de industrie" 2025; CBS AI-monitor 2024; TNO-rapport robotisering 2026; FME en Smart Industry; AIC4NL leerlijn maakindustrie; EUR-Lex Verordening (EU) 2024/1689 en (EU) 2023/1230.