Compliance

Disclaimer

Mandatory notice that content was AI-manipulated or generated.

How the laws define this

Mandated in political advertisements and election campaign communications, these authorities consistently define a disclaimer as a required statement or notice informing viewers or listeners that media has been altered, manipulated, fabricated, or generated by artificial intelligence. Every definition agrees that this notice must accompany deceptive or generated content to ensure transparency and prevent voter deception across visual, audio, or audiovisual mediums. The primary divergence centers on whether the disclaimer requires exact statutory wording. New Mexico House Bill 182 and the New Mexico act amending the Campaign Reporting Act mandate explicit required text—specifically, "This [image, video, or audio] has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence." In contrast, Indiana House Enrolled Act 1133, Indiana Public Law 81, and Michigan Public Acts 263-266 of 2023 require disclaimers to meet detailed visibility, audibility, duration, or placement rules, without prescribing a single required sentence in their definitions.

Synthesised from the 5 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first. Showing 4 of the 5 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
New Mexico, United States	New Mexico HB 182 - Deepfakes in Elections	In Force	Prescribes the exact wording like 'This [image/video/audio] has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence' and specifies format, language, and placement rules for different media types.
Indiana, United States	Indiana House Enrolled Act 1133 - Use of Digitally Altered Media in Elections	In Force	Limits application to election campaign communications and details specific wording and placement requirements within the Act.
Michigan, United States	Michigan Public Acts 263-266 of 2023 - AI in Political Advertising	In Force	Includes statements for both manipulated media depicting non-occurring speech or conduct and messages generated in whole or substantially by AI, with visibility, audibility, and duration requirements by medium.
Indiana, United States	Use of Digitally Altered Media in Elections (Indiana Public Law 81)	In Force	Emphasizes prominent display or announcement to ensure transparency and prevent voter deception, creating a civil cause of action for depicted candidates.

What it triggers

In New Mexico, political advertisements containing materially deceptive media must include a clear and conspicuous disclaimer with exact wording and format.source
In Indiana, election campaign communications with fabricated media must display a required statement indicating alteration or artificial generation.source source
In Michigan, political advertisements using manipulated or AI-generated media must include statements meeting visibility, audibility, and duration standards.source

Definitions (5)

A clear and conspicuous statement required to accompany materially deceptive media informing viewers or listeners that the content has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur; the law prescribes the exact wording and format requirements (e.g., "This [image/video/audio] has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence") and language/placement rules for different media types.

New Mexico House Bill 182 - Prohibited Use of Materially Deceptive Media in ElectionsDefinition 1 of 5

A 'disclaimer' is a mandatory statement, specifically 'This [image, video, or audio] has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence,' that must be included in political advertisements containing materially deceptive media. Its placement and visibility are strictly defined based on the media type (visual, audio, audiovisual).

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE CAMPAIGN REPORTING ACT BY ADDING DISCLAIMER REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVERTISEMENTS GENERATED BY USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE; PROVIDING DISCLAIMER REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE USE OF MATERIALLY DECEPTIVE MEDIA; CREATING THE CRIME OF DISTRIBUTING OR ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ANOTHER PERSON TO DISTRIBUTE MATERIALLY DECEPTIVE MEDIA; ADDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING PENALTIES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.Definition 2 of 5

A required statement on election campaign communications containing fabricated media, indicating that the content has been altered or artificially generated. The specific wording and placement requirements are detailed within the Act.

Indiana House Enrolled Act 1133 - Use of Digitally Altered Media in ElectionsDefinition 3 of 5

A mandatory notice or statement that must be prominently displayed or announced within an election campaign communication containing fabricated media. Its purpose is to inform the audience that the content has been digitally altered or artificially generated, ensuring transparency and preventing voter deception.

Use of Digitally Altered Media in Elections (Indiana Public Law 81)Definition 4 of 5

A statement informing the viewer or listener that media has been manipulated by technical means and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur, or that a message was generated in whole or substantially by artificial intelligence. Specific requirements for visibility, audibility, and duration apply based on the medium.

Michigan Public Acts 263-266 of 2023 - AI in Political AdvertisingDefinition 5 of 5

Not to be confused with

Disclosure

Disclosure refers to clear, conspicuous statements on AI-generated or altered material, while disclaimer specifies mandatory notices with prescribed wording and placement in these acts.

Clear, Media-Specific Disclaimer

Clear, media-specific disclaimer focuses on labeling requirements tailored to AI-generated campaign media, whereas disclaimer here includes exact formats and penalties under state laws.

Questions and answers

What exact wording is required for disclaimers in New Mexico elections?

New Mexico HB 182 requires the statement 'This [image/video/audio] has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence'. It must be clear and conspicuous with specific format, language, and placement rules for different media.

Does Indiana law allow candidates to sue over missing disclaimers?

Yes, under Indiana Public Law 81, depicted candidates can bring a civil cause of action against creators and disseminators for non-compliance with disclaimer requirements on fabricated media.

What disclosure standards apply to AI media in Michigan political ads?

Michigan Public Acts 263-266 require statements that media depicts non-occurring speech or conduct or was substantially AI-generated, with specific visibility, audibility, and duration rules based on the medium.