Guides · Article 50 · EU AI Act
What public-sector teams should know about Article 50
Public bodies deploy AI to serve citizens: information chatbots on agency websites, and AI-assisted drafting of public communications. Article 50 of the EU AI Act sets transparency duties that can reach these. Read this caveat first: the public sector is an area where AI systems may engage far more of the Act than its transparency rules. This guide covers only the transparency slice. It is informational only, not legal advice.
Citizen-facing chatbots — Article 50(1), providers
Article 50(1) provides that providers must ensure AI systems intended to interact directly with natural persons are designed so those people are informed they are interacting with an AI system, unless that is obvious to a reasonably well-informed, observant and circumspect person given the context (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689). An agency information bot interacts directly with citizens, so this provider-side duty is in view. The paragraph also carries a carve-out for certain AI systems authorised by law to detect, prevent, investigate or prosecute criminal offences, subject to safeguards — whether that applies to a given system is a fact-specific question for counsel. Article 50(5) points toward a clear notice at the latest at first interaction, meeting applicable accessibility requirements.
AI-generated public-interest text — Article 50(4), deployers
The second limb of Article 50(4) addresses deployers of an AI system that generates or manipulates text published with the purpose of informing the public on matters of public interest: they must disclose that the text has been artificially generated or manipulated. The obligation does not apply where the AI-generated content has undergone a process of human review or editorial control and a natural or legal person holds editorial responsibility for the publication. Public bodies publishing AI-assisted communications on matters of public interest may find this limb relevant; whether a given publication meets its conditions, and whether the editorial-review carve-out applies, are fact-specific.
Article 50 is not the whole Act for the public sector
Article 50 covers only the transparency obligations; depending on your systems, other parts of the EU AI Act — including high-risk-system requirements — may also apply. Confirm your full obligations with qualified counsel. Public-sector uses in areas such as access to services can be a natural home for provisions well beyond Article 50.
Common questions
Does a government information chatbot need an AI disclosure?
Article 50(1) points toward informing people they are interacting with an AI system, unless that is already obvious in context, subject to a narrow law-enforcement carve-out. Whether it applies to a given system is fact-specific — confirm with qualified counsel. Our free scope check gives an informational starting point.
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.