New transparency rules for AI systems under the EU AI Act took effect on 2 August 2026. If your public sector organisation uses an AI system – for example, a chatbot on its website or AI that generates images, audio or text – you must make it clear that AI has been used in certain circumstances. This helps people understand when they are interacting with or viewing AI-generated or AI-manipulated content.
When do the transparency rules apply?
The rules apply to situations such as:
- Interactions with a chatbot
- Images, video or audio generated or edited with AI that constitute a deepfake
- AI-generated or edited text used to disseminate information in the public interest
- AI deployed for emotion recognition or biometric categorisation
Exceptions
There are exceptions. You do not have to disclose the use of AI when it is used only for routine editing, such as spell-checking or improving the clarity of a photograph. In some cases, the rules do not apply when a human carries out the final editorial review and takes responsibility for the content.
The new rules aim to ensure people know when they are engaging with AI, enabling them to better assess how content was produced and when AI was applied.
More information
Would you like to learn more about the transparency rules for AI systems? Visit the European Commission’s website. You can also email your question to AI-verordening@minbzk.nl.
New e-learning courses on working with AI
At the same time, the AI Act requires public sector organisations to invest in AI literacy. Public sector employees must have sufficient knowledge and skills to use AI systems in a considered, responsible and effective way. To support this, the RijksAcademie voor Digitalisering en Informatisering Overheid (RADIO) has developed 2 new e-learning courses for public sector employees, building on the AI Digital Skills Foundation Course (Dutch).
- The e-learning How to work with an AI assistant (Dutch) teaches public sector employees in the Netherlands how to write effective prompts, including for AI chatbots that are increasingly becoming autonomous AI assistants.
- Getting started with AI responsibly (Dutch) offers guidance on considerations when working with AI and its potential impact. Which laws are relevant to AI use? And how might AI influence the future of work?
These e-learning courses will help public sector employees use AI more effectively and understand the opportunities and risks it presents for government. The courses are available free of charge to public sector organisations across the Dutch central government, provinces, water authorities and municipalities.
