All content generated by artificial intelligence must be identified as such.
This is not a recommendation. It is a legal requirement.
And it will become enforceable starting August 2, 2026.
This includes:
- AI-generated text
- Synthetic images
- Audio
- Video
Any system that produces artificial content must ensure that such content is properly labeled.
But here's the key point many companies still don't understand:
Labeling the content is not enough.
Regulators require that this labeling be verifiable.
That means:
- It must be detectable by third parties
- It must not be easily removable
- It must be accessible without special permissions
- It must not rely on trusting the content creator
This fundamentally changes the problem.
It's no longer about adding a label or displaying a disclaimer. It's an infrastructure problem.
The multilayer approach
The AI Office's Code of Practice (the technical guidance accompanying the AI Act) makes it clear that the expected approach is multilayered. Not a single solution, but multiple layers working together.
For example:
- Invisible watermarking that survives compression, cropping, or reformatting
- C2PA credentials as an interoperable standard
- Immutable logging (e.g., on blockchain)
- A frictionless, publicly accessible verification system
Only the combination of these layers enables real compliance.
The current reality
Today, most European companies using generative AI have not implemented any system of this kind. And that creates clear exposure as enforcement approaches.
Because on August 2, 2026, there will be no grace period. Compliance will be required from day one.
Penalties can reach:
- Up to €15 million
- Or 3% of global annual turnover
The real question
The question is no longer whether to comply. The question is how to do it correctly.
And more importantly, whether the solution you're considering actually meets regulatory requirements.
Because implementing a single layer is not compliance. It's a false sense of security.
If you want to see how a complete compliance system can be implemented in minutes:
Explore AI Act 50 →