The European Commission has published guidance to help artificial intelligence providers and deployers comply with the transparency requirements of the EU AI Act before the rules take effect on August 2, 2026.
Guidance Clarifies Transparency Rules
New guidance explains when providers and deployers must inform users that they are interacting with AI systems or viewing AI-generated or manipulated content. It also clarifies which organisations are subject to the transparency obligations set out in the AI Act.
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Provider And Deployer Obligations
Providers must ensure users are informed when they are communicating with AI systems and apply machine-readable markings to AI-generated or manipulated content so it can be detected.
Deployers must disclose the use of deepfakes, AI-generated content on matters of public interest that has not undergone human review or editorial control, as well as AI systems used for emotion recognition or biometric categorisation.
Examples And Exemptions
According to the Commission, the guidance includes practical examples, explains key concepts and outlines exemptions to help organisations determine how the rules apply. Coverage extends to interactive AI systems such as chatbots, along with synthetic text and other AI-generated content.
Requirements for deepfakes and AI-generated content relating to matters of public interest are also clarified, while exemptions apply to certain AI-assisted editing functions, including spelling and grammar corrections.
Demonstrating Compliance
According to the Commission, organisations can demonstrate compliance with the AI Act by following a recognised code of practice, providing a practical method for meeting the transparency requirements.
The guidance complements the Code of Practice on Transparency of AI-generated Content, developed by independent experts with contributions from hundreds of stakeholders. Both the Commission and the AI Board said the voluntary code provides an appropriate way for providers and deployers to demonstrate compliance with the AI Act.
Next Steps
Additional guidance, the AI Act Service Desk and other support tools are being developed to help organisations prepare for the new rules.
Most provisions of the AI Act will apply from August 2, 2026, including enforcement powers for the Commission and national market surveillance authorities. AI systems placed on the market before that date must comply with marking and detection requirements from December 2, 2026.
