Guides · Article 50 · EU AI Act
Designing an AI disclosure banner
When a required AI disclosure needs to appear in a web or app interface, teams often reach for a banner or notice element. This guide walks through design considerations grounded in Article 50(5) of the EU AI Act. It is informational only, not legal advice, and the examples are illustrative, not approved wording or an approved design.
A banner is a delivery method, not the obligation itself. Which Article 50 paragraph applies — and therefore what must be conveyed — depends on the AI system behind the interface, and is fact-specific.
The Article 50(5) design constraints
Article 50(5) provides that the information referred to in paragraphs 1 to 4 must be provided in a clear and distinguishable manner, at the latest at the time of the first interaction or exposure, and must conform to applicable accessibility requirements. Three design pressures follow from that sentence:
- Clear and distinguishable: the notice should stand out from surrounding UI, not blend into decorative chrome.
- At the latest at first interaction or exposure: it should be visible when the person begins, not revealed only after they act or scroll.
- Applicable accessibility requirements: sufficient contrast, real text rather than baked-into-image wording, and reachability by keyboard and screen readers.
Patterns teams weigh
Beyond the constraints above, common design choices include keeping the wording short and specific, avoiding a dismissible banner that disappears before it is read, and — for a chatbot — pairing an opening-message notice with a persistent label so the AI nature stays visible through the session rather than only at the start.
Illustrative banner copy (not approved wording)
Shown for tone and placement only — adapt with qualified counsel:
- 'You're interacting with an AI system.'
- 'Content on this page may be generated by AI.'
Common questions
Where should an AI disclosure banner appear?
Article 50(5) points toward giving the information in a clear and distinguishable manner, at the latest at the first interaction or exposure, and meeting applicable accessibility requirements. In practice that means visible at the start rather than after the fact. The exact placement depends on your interface and which paragraph applies — confirm with qualified counsel.
See what may apply to your business
Answer seven quick questions for an automated, informational indication of which Article 50 obligations appear likely to apply — free, and not legal advice.