EU Bans Creation of AI-Generated Sexualized Images Without Consent

In a significant move to protect individuals and uphold ethical standards, the European Union has reached an agreement to prohibit the creation of AI-generated sexualized images without the consent of the individuals depicted. This landmark pact, finalized early Thursday morning, specifically targets AI systems whose sole purpose is to generate such imagery or child sexual abuse material. It also covers AI systems used for multiple purposes, provided they lack adequate safeguards against the dissemination of harmful content.

This ban, set to take effect on December 2, 2026, follows the controversy surrounding AI image generation tools, such as Grok from the social media platform X. Companies like X will have until the end of the year to implement robust protection measures. European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen stated that the agreement balances innovation with safety, a key demand from citizens and businesses.

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Our companies and citizens want two things from the rules of artificial intelligence. They want to be able to innovate and feel safe. Today's agreement does both.

Spain, alongside France and Germany, has been a driving force behind this initiative, reinforcing the EU's commitment to a trustworthy European model for Artificial Intelligence. The agreement also introduces a delay for the mandatory watermarking of all AI-generated content, including photos, videos, and audio, until December 2027. This measure aims to ensure users can easily distinguish between human-created and machine-generated content. Furthermore, obligations for high-risk AI systems, such as those used in critical infrastructure or border control, have been postponed until December 2027, allowing Brussels more time to define the necessary technical requirements for safety and fundamental rights protection.

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Spain continues to lead the deployment of its own European model of AI, which must be characterized by being the most reliable of all, in line with the initiatives approved by the Government of Spain in recent months.