The European Union AI Act Transparency Rules Take Effect

The European Union has entered a new phase of AI regulation, with transparency requirements for chatbots, AI-generated content, and deepfakes now officially in effect.

As covered in an article from the EdTech Innovation Hub, the European Union has begun enforcing new transparency requirements under the AI Act. Effective August 2, Article 50 requires organizations that develop or use certain AI systems to clearly disclose when people interact with AI or consume AI-generated content. The rules apply not only to companies based in the EU, but also to organizations outside the bloc whose AI systems or outputs are used within the European Union. As previously covered by MACo, while the US federal and state governments debate and develop proposals for the oversight of AI, the European Union (EU) has led the charge in proposing a new legal framework that aims to significantly bolster regulations on the development and use of artificial intelligence.

The new requirements distinguish between AI providers, which develop or market AI systems, and deployers, which use those systems. Providers of AI chatbots, virtual assistants, and similar interactive tools must ensure users are informed they are interacting with AI at the outset of the conversation. The guidance emphasizes that disclosures must be clear, easy to understand, and particularly accessible for children and individuals with disabilities; simply burying a notice in terms and conditions is not sufficient.

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At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference session, “To Bot or Not To Bot? The Promise and Panic of Chatbots,” panelists will examine what a chatbot is − and is not − and explore how counties are using or evaluating chatbot technology to improve efficiency, support public services, and streamline internal operations.

MACo’s Summer Conference, “Build What’s Next,” takes place August 12–15, 2026, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. For more information, visit the conference website.

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