The rapid advance of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years has highlighted the need for robust AI literacy, especially in educational and professional contexts. AI literacy goes beyond technical understanding to encompass the ability to interpret, critique and use AI technologies ethically and effectively. Despite its growing importance, there is a dearth of comprehensive tools to assess this literacy in different linguistic and cultural contexts. This study addresses this gap by validating the Portuguese version of the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Questionnaire by Ng et al. (2023). The questionnaire was administered to 139 participants, and the responses were analysed using structural equation modelling to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire in various learning dimensions: affective, behavioural, cognitive and ethical. The results confirm the psychometric properties of the questionnaire and its suitability for the target population. This validated tool should make a significant contribution to the academic and professional communities, identifying knowledge gaps and improving the quality of AI education among Portuguese speakers. The goal of this study is to support the development of effective AI literacy programmes, promoting a more informed and empowered society in the face of rapidly evolving AI technologies. This study contributes to the academic and professional community by providing a validated tool for assessing AI literacy, facilitating the identification of knowledge gaps and improving the quality of AI education among Portuguese speakers.