The Design edition
The AI news of that week, in plain language.
This week: AI slips into the tools you already use, and the EU wants you to be honest about what AI makes.
From now on you must say when something was made by AI
The new European rules for AI have started: if you publish an AI image or AI text, you must mention it.
Since 2 August 2026, a new transparency duty for AI applies across the whole EU. If you make and publish an AI image, video, or text to inform people, you must add that it was made by AI. This applies to freelancers and small agencies too, not just big companies. Fines can go up to 15 million euros or 3% of yearly turnover. For AI images there is an extra technical rule: tool providers must put an invisible "label" in the file that a computer can read.
Background for subscribersAre you delivering an AI mood image or AI product photo to a client with buyers in the EU? Then clearly state that the image was made with AI. That is not only polite, it is now required too. Make one simple agreement with your client up front: which images are "real" and which are AI impressions. That way you avoid trouble later and actually show your craft.
AI images must get an invisible 'label'
Providers of AI tools such as Midjourney, DALL·E, Adobe Firefly, and Canva must from now on give their images a machine-readable mark. Think of hidden information in the file and an invisible watermark in the pixels. One technique is not enough; the EU code of conduct asks for several layers at once.
Background for subscribersThis is a taster.
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