Meta Introduces Fines for Lack of Labelling of AI-Generated Images on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

Meta has announced that it is introducing a new policy for labelling images created by artificial intelligence. The changes will apply to the company's Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp platforms. 

This initiative, which will soon be in effect, will clearly identify content generated by AI from other companies such as OpenAI and Google. This innovation should increase transparency for users.

Content that is identified as created by artificial intelligence through metadata or other intentional watermarks will be marked with a visible label. Users of meta-platforms will also be able to flag unmarked content suspected of being created by AI.

"As the distinction between human and synthetic content becomes blurred, people want to know where the line is. This is often the first time people encounter AI-generated content, and our users have told us that they appreciate the transparency of this new technology. That's why it's important that we help people know when the photorealistic content they see is created by AI," Meta said in a statement. 

"We do this by applying 'Imagined with AI' labels to photorealistic images created with our Meta AI feature, but we want to be able to do this with content created with other companies' tools as well," the company said. 

Currently, Meta is working with other companies through a consortium that includes Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, Adobe, Midjourney, and Shutterstock, and will continue to develop methods for invisible watermarking. 

And while the industry is working on this capability, Meta is adding a feature where people can notify when they share AI-generated video or audio so that a tag can be added to it. Meta will require people to use this disclosure and tagging tool when they post regular content with photo-realistic video or audio with realistic sound that is digitally created or altered. If they don't, the company will apply fines.