EU AI Labeling Rules Become Compulsory August 2, 2026

Starting August 2, 2026, the EU requires companies to visibly mark and digitally watermark AI-generated text, images, video, and audio designed to look authentic. Noncompliance risks fines up to €15 million or 3% of global turnover. The rules stem from the AI Act, first agreed in December 2023. Existing AI systems get a four-month extension. Green MEP Sergey Lagodinsky called them "customer protection and democracy protection."