Nairobi, Kenya- Spain is taking a firm stance against AI-generated content. The government has approved a new bill that will impose hefty fines—up to Sh5.5 billion (€35 million) or 7pc of global annual turnover—on companies that fail to properly label AI-generated content.
The move aims to curb the rise of deepfakes and protect democracy.
The bill aligns with the European Union’s AI Act, widely regarded as the most comprehensive AI regulation framework globally.
Spain’s government approved a bill on Tuesday, March 11, imposing massive fines on companies that use content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) without properly labeling it as such in a bid to curb the use of so-called “deepfakes.” READ: tinyurl.com/4smnw45w
Spain is among the first EU nations to begin enforcing these rules, taking a much stricter approach than the U.S., which mostly relies on voluntary compliance and state-level policies.
Digital Transformation Minister Óscar López emphasized the urgency of regulation, saying: “AI is a very powerful tool that can improve our lives… or be used to spread misinformation and attack democracy.”
And if you’ve seen those eerily realistic AI-generated videos circulating online, you understand why governments are taking action.
Spain to impose massive fines for not labelling AI-generated content #AI indianexpress.com/article/techno…
Beyond Deepfakes: Banning AI Manipulation & Social Scoring
This isn’t just about labeling AI-generated content. The bill bans AI systems from using subliminal messaging—such as hidden sounds or images—to manipulate vulnerable groups.
Some key prohibitions include:
AI-driven social scoring: No rating people based on their personal traits or behavior (China-style social credit systems? Not happening.)
Biometric profiling: AI systems can’t classify individuals using biometric data to determine their access to benefits or predict criminal behavior.
Manipulative AI: Chatbots nudging addicts to gamble or AI-powered toys encouraging kids to engage in risky behavior are now illegal.
However, the bill does make an exception: Spanish authorities can use real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces for national security purposes—a provision likely to fuel debates over privacy concerns.
To ensure compliance, Spain has created AESIA, a new AI supervisory agency responsible for enforcing the law.
However, cases involving privacy, elections, finance, and crime will still fall under their respective regulatory bodies.
With generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Sora evolving rapidly, governments worldwide are struggling to balance innovation with public safety.
Spain’s approach could serve as a model for how AI is regulated in the digital age.
