Spotting Deepfakes: The European Commission Launches New AI Labels

08/01/2026

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we create content. But how can customers tell if an image, text, or video is authentic? The European Commission has officially released its standardized AI disclosure icons. Here is what businesses need to know for their local and international communication.

On August 2, 2026, crucial transparency rules under the European AI Act come into effect. Anyone publishing photorealistic AI images, deepfakes, or synthetic texts that could potentially mislead the public must clearly label them from now on. To help businesses comply, the EU Commission has introduced a set of standardized visual icons.

Image of the three new official AI labeling symbols from the European Commission. Shown are the circular base icon with the text ‘AI,’ the icon for fully generated content ‘AI GENERATED,’ and the icon for modified content ‘AI MODIFIED,’ each displayed in white text on a dark background.

Overview of the Three New Icons

The EU provides three distinct icons as a standard baseline, all using English text to maintain international consistency:

The Core Icon (“AI”): A universal logo that can be flexibly combined with custom text.
Fully Generated (“AI GENERATED”): For content completely created by AI (e.g., an AI-generated stock photo).
Partially Manipulated (“AI MODIFIED”): For content based on real footage but altered via AI (e.g., deepfakes or altered image backgrounds).

KI or AI? Choosing the Right Term for Your Audience

Since the official EU icons use the English term "AI", companies operating in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) often face a stylistic dilemma. The following overview helps guide your multilingual content strategy:

Context & Target Audience	The Term “KI” (Künstliche Intelligenz)	The Term “AI” (Artificial Intelligence)
Focus & Acceptance	Standard in German-speaking regions; ideal for local SMEs and consumers.	Dominant in the tech industry, start-up ecosystems, and global marketing.
Legal Context	German authorities and media usually refer to the KI-Verordnung.	Global standard; referred to in official frameworks as the EU AI Act.
Language Flow (DE)	Sounds natural in compound German words (KI-Bild, KI-Text).	Sounds natural alongside tech terms (Generative AI, AI Tools).

Our tip for global brands: Use the localized "KI" in German body copy to build local trust, but confidently stick to "AI" for official terms like the "EU AI Act" or "AI Icons" to ensure seamless international continuity.

A Voluntary Standard Securing Legal Compliance

Good news for platform operators and webmasters: Using these specific visual assets is legally voluntary. Businesses are technically free to use their own textual labels.

The benefit of EU icons: They offer a standardized "safe harbor" solution. By implementing the official symbols, you fulfill the transparency mandates of the AI Act in a legally secure and transparent manner. Furthermore, the uniform design fosters immediate user trust across international borders.

Download and Technical Integration

The icons are readily available for download on the European Commission's digital platforms. To ensure they match any corporate identity, they are provided as scalable vector graphics (SVG) and PNG files in black, white, and a 50% transparent finish.

Exemptions: Content that is clearly artistic or fictional (e.g., a flying sphinx), as well as internal AI tools that are not accessible to the public, do not require mandatory labeling.

Want to make your website or platform compliant with the EU AI Act?

Implementing AI labels correctly requires technical precision and smart design—especially within multilingual corporate platforms. As your trusted digital partner, the team at DRIVE helps you seamlessly integrate the new standards while remaining fully GDPR and AI Act compliant.

Get in touch with the DRIVE experts today to future-proof your digital presence!