EU institutions ban AI-generated visuals in official communications
EU institutional press teams cannot use fully AI-generated images or videos
Change
The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU have adopted policies that bar press teams from using fully AI-generated images and videos in official communications while permitting limited AI-based image enhancement such as quality optimisation.
Why it matters
Press offices are prohibited from deploying fully synthetic photos or videos in materials intended for journalists or official information; allowed AI use is limited to non-synthetic enhancements such as image-quality optimisation. The bloc's AI Act requires watermarking and labeling of AI-generated content, raising mandatory disclosure requirements for any synthetic or AI-enhanced material.
Implications
- — Press teams and contracted communications suppliers for the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU must immediately stop deploying fully AI-generated photos or videos in materials for journalists or official information — such content cannot be published in official communications.
- — Communications compliance and legal teams at the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU must ensure any AI-based image enhancements are watermarked and labeled in line with the EU AI Act before publication — failure produces non-compliant materials under the bloc's disclosure rules.
Unlock the full brief.
- Implications: What this forces you to change — operations, exposure, or compliance.
- Who is affected: Which roles, contracts, and obligations are exposed.
- What to watch: Binding deadlines and enforcement dates.
- Real-time alerts: Delivered the moment a change is published.
- Ask AI: Ask what this means for your specific role.
Source
View on POLITICO