Armenian Government Pushes to Require AI Labels on TV Content
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Armenia may soon require TV channels to tell viewers when what they’re watching isn’t entirely real.
On April 7, the country’s National Assembly took up a new proposal that would force television broadcasters to clearly label any content created using artificial intelligence(AI). The goal is simple: make sure people know when what they’re seeing has been generated by machines, not humans.
The proposal was introduced by Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, who said the government wants to bring more transparency to what appears on television screens. As AI becomes more common in media, officials say it’s becoming harder for viewers to tell what’s real and what isn’t.
Under the proposed changes, broadcasters would be required to clearly mark any content made using artificial intelligence tools or other digital technologies. If they fail to do so, they could face fines.
“The government proposes to introduce several amendments to the law on audiovisual media. When broadcasting television content generated by artificial intelligence or other digital technological solutions, or synthetic content, broadcasters must обязательно label it. In other words, appropriate labeling must be applied so that it is clearly visible on the content that the material has been generated using artificial intelligence tools,” the minister said.
For now, the proposal only applies to traditional television broadcasters. It does not yet cover online platforms or social media, although Hayrapetyan noted that separate rules for digital spaces are expected to be introduced in the coming months.
If the law moves forward, enforcement will be handled by the Television and Radio Commission, which will monitor broadcasters to make sure they follow the rules. Those who don’t comply could face administrative fines equal to 300 times the minimum wage.
“The supervision and monitoring of this will be carried out by the Television and Radio Commission, and in case of violations, the broadcaster will be subject to an administrative fine amounting to 300 times the minimum wage,” the minister added.
The proposal comes as artificial intelligence tools are rapidly changing how media content is created around the world. Armenian officials say these changes are necessary to protect viewers and keep them informed about what they are watching.
If approved, the law would mark one of the first formal steps in Armenia toward regulating AI-generated content on television—signaling a broader shift as the country begins to adapt to the growing role of artificial intelligence in everyday life.
—
Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.
