Alabama · Senate Bill · 2026 Regular Session
SB129
Alabama SB 129 — Relating to artificial intelligence; to require developers of generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems to disclose when image or video content is AI-generated

Status ● Introduced Effective Oct 1, 2026 Passage Likelihood L

WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE

How Is This Bill Enforced

Enforcement Authority
Attorney General enforcement under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Chapter 19 of Title 8, Code of Alabama 1975. Prior to initiating an enforcement action, the Attorney General may provide a developer 30 days' written notice identifying the specific provisions alleged to have been violated; if the developer cures the violation within 30 days and provides a written statement that the violations have been cured, the Attorney General shall not initiate an action for the noticed violations. Private right of action for any person injured due to a violation, pursuant to Section 8-19-10, Code of Alabama 1975.
Private Right of Action
Private right of action for any person injured due to a violation, pursuant to Section 8-19-10, Code of Alabama 1975.
Penalties
Violations constitute unlawful trade practices under the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Chapter 19, Title 8, Code of Alabama 1975). Remedies are those available under Section 8-19-10, which provides for actual damages, injunctive relief, and other relief available under the DTPA. The bill itself does not specify statutory minimum or maximum penalties, punitive damages, or attorney's fees — those are governed by the underlying DTPA.

What This Bill Requires

Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.

Statutory Text
Analysis & Obligations
Section 1
Definitions

(1) AI-GENERATED CONTENTAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1). Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.

(2) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEArtificial intelligenceARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE or AI. The term as defined in Section 17-5-16.1, Code of Alabama 1975.Section 1(2) or AI. The term as defined in Section 17-5-16.1, Code of Alabama 1975.

(3) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMArtificial intelligence systemARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any machine-based system, for any explicit or implicit objective, that infers from inputs to the system how to generate outputs, including content, decisions, predictions, and recommendations, that may influence physical or virtual environments.Section 1(3). Any machine-based system, for any explicit or implicit objective, that infers from inputs to the system how to generate outputs, including content, decisions, predictions, and recommendations, that may influence physical or virtual environments.

(4) DEVELOPERDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4). Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence systemArtificial intelligence systemARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any machine-based system, for any explicit or implicit objective, that infers from inputs to the system how to generate outputs, including content, decisions, predictions, and recommendations, that may influence physical or virtual environments.Section 1(3) that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.

(5) GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEGenerative artificial intelligenceGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Artificial intelligence based on a foundation model that is capable of and used to produce synthetic digital content, including audio, images, text, and videos.Section 1(5). Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligenceARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE or AI. The term as defined in Section 17-5-16.1, Code of Alabama 1975.Section 1(2) based on a foundation model that is capable of and used to produce synthetic digital content, including audio, images, text, and videos.

(6) GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6). Any artificial intelligence systemArtificial intelligence systemARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any machine-based system, for any explicit or implicit objective, that infers from inputs to the system how to generate outputs, including content, decisions, predictions, and recommendations, that may influence physical or virtual environments.Section 1(3) or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligenceGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Artificial intelligence based on a foundation model that is capable of and used to produce synthetic digital content, including audio, images, text, and videos.Section 1(5).

(7) METADATAMetadataMETADATA. Structural or descriptive information about data.Section 1(7). Structural or descriptive information about data.

(8) THIRD-PARTY LICENSEEThird-party licenseeTHIRD-PARTY LICENSEE. Any person in this state that holds a license from a developer to access and use a generative artificial intelligence system for its own purposes.Section 1(8). Any person in this state that holds a license from a developerDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4) to access and use a generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) for its own purposes.

Section 1 establishes the definitional framework for the act. Key defined terms include AI-generated content (limited to images, video, and audiovisual content that materially alters a reasonable person's understanding), developer (any person doing business in Alabama that develops or significantly updates an AI system provided to consumers), generative artificial intelligence system (any AI system incorporating generative AI), and third-party licensee (any Alabama-based licensee of a developer's generative AI system).

The definition of AI-generated content includes a materiality threshold — the AI's use must materially alter a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content. This excludes trivial modifications from the scope of disclosure obligations.

Section 2
Developer and third-party licensee disclosure and downstream protection obligations
DeployerDeveloper

(a)(1)–(3) 1 A developer of a generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) made available in this state shall ensure that any generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) that produces images, video, or audiovisual content includes a clear and conspicuous disclosure on AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1) that meets all of the following requirements: (1) The disclosure shall include a clear and conspicuous notice appropriate for the medium of the content which identifies the content as AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1). (2) The output's metadataMetadataMETADATA. Structural or descriptive information about data.Section 1(7) shall identify the content as AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1), identify the tool used to create the content, and the date and time the content was created. (3) The disclosure, to the extent technically feasible, shall be permanent or unable to be easily removed by subsequent users.

(b)(1)–(7) 1 For a disclosure to be clear and conspicuous as required by subsection (a), the disclosure shall meet all of the following criteria: (1) For content that is solely visual, the disclosure shall be made visually in the same means the content is presented. (2) For content that is both visual and audible, the disclosure shall be visual and audible. (3) A visual disclosure shall stand out from any accompanying text or other visual elements by its size, contrast, location, the length of time it appears, and other characteristics so that the disclosure is easily noticed, read, and understood. (4) An audible disclosure shall be delivered in a volume, speed, and cadence sufficient for a reasonable person to easily hear and understand the disclosure. (5) The disclosure shall be unavoidable. (6) The disclosure shall use diction and syntax understandable to a reasonable person. (7) The disclosure shall not be contradicted, mitigated by, or inconsistent with, anything else in the communication.

(c)(1)–(3) 2 A developer of a generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) shall implement reasonable procedures to prevent downstream use of a generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) without the disclosures required under subsection (a), which shall include: (1) Requiring by contract that end users and third-party licensees of the generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) refrain from removing any required disclosure from AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1); (2) Requiring certification that end users and third-party licenseesThird-party licenseeTHIRD-PARTY LICENSEE. Any person in this state that holds a license from a developer to access and use a generative artificial intelligence system for its own purposes.Section 1(8) will not remove any disclosure from AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1); and (3) Terminating access to the generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) when the developerDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4) has reason to believe that an end user or third-party licenseeThird-party licenseeTHIRD-PARTY LICENSEE. Any person in this state that holds a license from a developer to access and use a generative artificial intelligence system for its own purposes.Section 1(8) has removed the required disclosure from AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1).

(d)(1)–(3) 3 Any third-party licensee of a generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) shall implement reasonable procedures to prevent downstream use of a generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) without the disclosures required under subsection (a). The procedures shall include: (1) Requiring by contract that end users of the generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) refrain from removing any required disclosure from AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1); (2) Requiring certification that end users will not remove any disclosure from AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1); and (3) Terminating access to the generative artificial intelligence systemGenerative artificial intelligence systemGENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. Any artificial intelligence system or service that incorporates generative artificial intelligence.Section 1(6) when the developerDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4) has reason to believe that an end user has removed the required disclosure from AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1).

Section 2 is the operative core of the bill. Subsection (a) requires developers to ensure that generative AI systems producing images, video, or audiovisual content include a clear and conspicuous disclosure meeting three requirements: a human-perceptible label identifying the content as AI-generated, metadata embedding that identifies the content as AI-generated along with the tool and creation timestamp, and permanence or resistance to easy removal.

Subsection (b) specifies the criteria for clear and conspicuous disclosure, keyed to the medium of the content: visual-only content requires visual disclosure, audiovisual content requires both visual and audible disclosure, and all disclosures must stand out, be unavoidable, use plain language, and not be contradicted by the content.

Subsection (c) imposes downstream protection obligations on developers — contractual requirements, certifications, and access termination upon belief of disclosure removal. Subsection (d) mirrors those downstream obligations for third-party licensees, though subsection (d)(3) contains what appears to be a drafting error: the termination trigger references the developer having reason to believe an end user removed a disclosure, rather than the third-party licensee.

Compliance actions 3 items
1
DevelopersDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4) must include a clear and conspicuous disclosure identifying output from any generative AI system producing images, video, or audiovisual content as AI-generated contentAI-generated contentAI-GENERATED CONTENT. Images, video, or audiovisual content that is substantially created or modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such that the use of the system materially alters a reasonable person's understanding of the meaning or significance of the content.Section 1(1). The disclosure must include a human-perceptible label and embedded metadataMetadataMETADATA. Structural or descriptive information about data.Section 1(7) identifying the content as AI-generated, the tool used, and the creation timestamp. The disclosure must, to the extent technically feasible, be permanent or unable to be easily removed. Visual-only content requires visual disclosure; audiovisual content requires both visual and audible disclosure. All disclosures must stand out by size, contrast, location, and duration; be unavoidable; use plain language; and not be contradicted by the content itself.
T-02.1
2
DevelopersDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4) must implement reasonable downstream protection procedures to prevent use of the generative AI system without the required disclosures, including: (1) contractual provisions requiring end users and third-party licenseesThird-party licenseeTHIRD-PARTY LICENSEE. Any person in this state that holds a license from a developer to access and use a generative artificial intelligence system for its own purposes.Section 1(8) to refrain from removing disclosures; (2) certifications from end users and third-party licenseesThird-party licenseeTHIRD-PARTY LICENSEE. Any person in this state that holds a license from a developer to access and use a generative artificial intelligence system for its own purposes.Section 1(8) that they will not remove disclosures; and (3) termination of access when the developerDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4) has reason to believe a disclosure has been removed.
T-02.8
3
Third-party licenseesThird-party licenseeTHIRD-PARTY LICENSEE. Any person in this state that holds a license from a developer to access and use a generative artificial intelligence system for its own purposes.Section 1(8) must implement reasonable downstream protection procedures to prevent use of the generative AI system without the required disclosures, including: (1) contractual provisions requiring end users to refrain from removing disclosures; (2) certifications from end users that they will not remove disclosures; and (3) termination of access when there is reason to believe an end user has removed a required disclosure.
T-02.8
Section 3
Enforcement, cure period, and private right of action

(a) A violation of this act shall constitute an unlawful trade practice under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Chapter 19 of Title 8, Code of Alabama 1975, and be subject to the enforcement provisions of that act.

(b) Prior to initiating an enforcement action for a violation of Section 2, the Attorney General may provide a developerDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4) 30 days' written notice identifying the specific provisions of Section 2 the Attorney General alleges have been or are being violated. If, within the 30-day period, the developerDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4) cures the noticed violation and provides the Attorney General an express written statement that the alleged violations have been cured and that no further violations shall occur, the Attorney General shall not initiate an action against the developerDeveloperDEVELOPER. Any person doing business in this state that develops or significantly updates an artificial intelligence system that is offered, sold, leased, given, or otherwise provided to consumers in this state.Section 1(4) for the noticed violations.

(c) Any person injured due to a violation of Section 2 shall be entitled to initiate an action pursuant to Section 8-19-10, Code of Alabama 1975.

Section 3 establishes the enforcement framework. Subsection (a) classifies any violation as an unlawful trade practice under Alabama's Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Chapter 19, Title 8, Code of Alabama 1975), incorporating the full enforcement apparatus of that act. Subsection (b) provides a 30-day cure period before the Attorney General may initiate enforcement — the developer must cure the violation and provide written confirmation. Subsection (c) creates a private right of action for any person injured by a violation, exercisable under Section 8-19-10 of the Alabama Code.

Section 4
Effective date

This act shall become effective on October 1, 2026.

Section 4 sets the effective date of the act as October 1, 2026.

Passage Likelihood

Low
Status Introduced
Chamber No passage
Committee No action
Majority party (No data)
Bipartisan No
Prior session None

Legislative History

2026-01-13 Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary
2026-01-13 Pending Senate Judiciary

Entry Last Reviewed

2026-05-20
AI generated