H.R. 6571: Responsible and Ethical AI Labeling Act

The bill known as the Responsible and Ethical AI Labeling Act (or REAL Act) aims to ensure that content published by federal officials, which has been created or altered using generative artificial intelligence (AI), is transparently disclosed to the public. The key provisions of the bill can be summarized as follows:

Disclosure Requirement

Federal officials are prohibited from publishing or disseminating content that has been created or manipulated with generative AI unless the content includes a clear and conspicuous disclaimer. This disclaimer must:

• Be easily understandable to the general public.
• Include a statement indicating the content was generated or altered by generative AI.
• Provide a brief explanation of how the content was generated or manipulated.
• Describe the technology or method used in the content creation or alteration.

Exceptions

There are specific exceptions where the disclosure requirement does not apply. These include:

• Communications not intended for public release.
• Content created for classified purposes, with a summary retained for unclassified publications.
• Basic graphic or visual elements that do not materially alter the content's meaning.
• Routine drafts or documents prepared using AI tools, provided they are reviewed by staff before publication.
• Content published on personal, non-government accounts if it is unrelated to official duties.

Implementation and Enforcement

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget is tasked with issuing regulations within 180 days of the bill's enactment. This will include guidelines on how to format and present disclaimers across different media formats. Additionally, the President, Vice President, and agency heads are required to conduct annual audits to ensure compliance and report their findings to Congress and the public.

Correction and Penalties

If non-compliance with the bill is identified, the responsible federal official must retract the content and issue a communication explaining the violation. This communication must include:

• A statement that the content was published in violation of the bill.
• A description of what led to the violation.
• If applicable, a revised version of the content that complies with the bill.

Furthermore, federal officials who violate the requirements may face disciplinary actions, and contractors associated with the violation may face restrictions or other penalties.

Definitions

The bill defines key terms such as:

• Agency: Any governmental body defined under existing code, including the Executive Office of the President.
• Federal Official: This includes the President, Vice President, and any agency officer or employee.
• Generative Artificial Intelligence: Refers to any algorithm that creates or modifies digital content based on previously observed data.

Effective Date

The provisions of the bill will take effect 90 days after it is enacted.

Relevant Companies

None found