Key figure: Reported cybercrime losses in the United States reached $16.6 billion in 2024, up 33% from 2023 (FBI IC3, 2024 Internet Crime Report).
AI agents 2026 write a growing share of the ads you see — and the EU AI Act requires them to be labeled as machine-made. This quiz tests whether you can spot the AI ads, then explains the labeling duties advertisers owe you.
AI-generated ads are everywhere in 2026 — and the EU AI Act requires them to be labeled as machine-made. The tells include generic superlatives, suspiciously perfect grammar, and claims no human copywriter would make. This quiz tests whether you can spot the AI ads, then explains the labeling duties advertisers now owe you.
AI ad disclosure is the legal duty — under rules like the EU AI Act — to label advertisements substantially created by artificial intelligence, so audiences know a machine made the pitch.
Six rounds. Two ads each. One was generated by AI, one crafted by a human. Tap the one you think is AI — and learn the tells either way. (Both ads in every round are illustrative examples written for this quiz.)
AI-generated ads are everywhere — and regulators are catching up. The EU AI Act's transparency rules expect AI-made content to be labeled so a reasonable person can tell. Brands that disclose early earn trust; brands caught hiding it earn headlines. The tells you just learned are also the first thing an auditor looks for.
Yes, in most cases. Deployers of AI-generated image, audio or video must disclose it as AI-generated — the Article 50(4) deployer disclosure duty has applied since 2 August 2026 — and providers must ensure AI outputs are marked so they are machine-readable and detectable.
The notice must be clear and distinguishable, and given at first exposure. Providers must mark AI-generated content so it is machine-readable and detectable, with a phase-in deadline of 2 December 2026 for systems already on the market.
Put a visible notice on the content itself — not buried in a caption — at first exposure, and add machine-readable provenance such as C2PA Content Credentials or a watermark. Keep a dated record of every labelled asset.
Yes, it can. The Act applies to providers and deployers placing AI systems on the EU market or whose AI outputs are used in the EU, wherever the company is based. If EU users can access your AI content, check your obligations with qualified counsel.
Does AI-generated content have to be labelled under the EU AI Act?
Yes, in most cases. Deployers of AI-generated image, audio or video must disclose it as AI-generated — the Article 50(4) deployer disclosure duty has applied since 2 August 2026 — and providers must ensure AI outputs are marked so they are machine-readable and detectable.
What are the labelling requirements for AI-generated content?
The notice must be clear and distinguishable, and given at first exposure. Providers must mark AI-generated content so it is machine-readable and detectable, with a phase-in deadline of 2 December 2026 for systems already on the market.
How do I label my content as AI-generated?
Put a visible notice on the content itself — not buried in a caption — at first exposure, and add machine-readable provenance such as C2PA Content Credentials or a watermark. Keep a dated record of every labelled asset.
Does the EU AI Act apply to companies outside the EU?
Yes, it can. The Act applies to providers and deployers placing AI systems on the EU market or whose AI outputs are used in the EU, wherever the company is based. If EU users can access your AI content, check your obligations with qualified counsel.