Article 22: Transparency — Being Honest About How You Use AI

Why Transparency Matters

People have a right to know when they're dealing with AI rather than a human. If a customer calls your support line and talks to a chatbot, they should know it's not a real person. If you use AI to generate marketing content, there are disclosure requirements. Transparency isn't just a legal box to tick — it builds trust with your customers and employees.

The EU AI Act takes transparency seriously because people make different choices when they know AI is involved. A customer might share less personal information with a chatbot than with a human agent. An employee might want to double-check an AI-generated report before sharing it with clients.

What You Must Disclose

The specific transparency requirements depend on how you use AI. At minimum, you must inform people when they're interacting directly with an AI system (like a chatbot), when content they're viewing was generated by AI, and when AI is being used to make or assist decisions that affect them.

For high-risk AI systems, the transparency requirements are even more detailed. You need to provide information about the system's capabilities, limitations, and the level of accuracy you can expect.

How to Communicate Transparently

Keep your disclosures simple and clear. Don't bury them in legal jargon or terms of service that nobody reads. A simple notice like "This chat is powered by AI" or "This recommendation was generated with AI assistance" is usually sufficient for everyday interactions.

For more significant AI decisions, consider providing more detail. If AI helped assess a loan application, the applicant should understand that AI was involved and have a way to get more information about how the decision was made.

Building Transparency Into Your Processes

Rather than treating transparency as an afterthought, build it into your systems from the start. When you deploy a new AI tool, include disclosure language in your planning. Train your staff to be upfront about AI use when talking to customers. Update your website and communications to reflect where AI is used. Transparency is easier when it's part of your culture rather than a last-minute addition.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulatory requirements change frequently — verify current rules with official sources. Built by Sawai Gyoseishoshi Office, Hiroshima, Japan.