Google will now generate disclosures for political ads that use AI

Google is making it easier for advertisers to disclose whether political ads contain AI-generated content. In an update spotted by Search Engine Land, Google says it will automatically generate disclosures whenever advertisers label election ads as containing “synthetic or digitally altered content.”

Last year, Google started requiring political advertisers to insert their own “clear and conspicuous” disclosures on ads containing AI content. But now, Google is simplifying the process, as it will automatically include an in-ad disclosure whenever advertisers select an “altered or synthetic content” checkbox in their campaign settings.

The disclosure will appear in feeds and YouTube Shorts on mobile devices as well as in-stream ads shown on phones, computers, TVs, and the web. Advertisers will have to include their own disclosures for all other ad formats.

With the US presidential election just months away, concerns over the use of AI in political advertising have started to mount. In May, the Senate Rules Committee advanced a bill that would require political advertisers to disclose AI-generated content, while the Federal Communications Commission proposed enacting a similar policy.