---
title: Image AI labels
description: Reference for AI-related image labels used by the Uranus public API and their relationship to EU transparency requirements.
---

Image AI labels describe whether and how artificial intelligence was used to create or modify an image.

Uranus provides the `image_ai_label` property in event responses to make this information available to websites and other API consumers.

## Available labels

| Value | Meaning | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| `none` | No AI generation or modification is declared. | The image is a conventional photograph or other image that has not been generated or modified using AI. |
| `ai` | AI was involved, but the specific type of use is not classified further. | Use when AI involvement is known, but it is not possible or appropriate to distinguish generation from modification. |
| `ai_generated` | The image was generated using AI. | Use for images created by an AI system, rather than captured as a conventional photograph or illustration created without AI generation. |
| `ai_modified` | An existing image was modified using AI. | Use when AI has been used to alter an existing image, for example by generating or replacing visual elements. |

These values are Uranus reference labels. They are intended to communicate image provenance consistently across the API and its clients.

## Choosing a label

Use the most specific label supported by the available information:

- Choose `none` when no AI generation or modification is declared.
- Choose `ai_generated` when the image itself was generated by AI.
- Choose `ai_modified` when an existing image was modified using AI.
- Choose `ai` when AI involvement is known but cannot be classified more specifically.

Do not assume that every use of an AI-powered editing tool necessarily requires the `ai_modified` label. Routine editing assistance may be treated differently under the applicable rules.

## Relationship to the EU AI Act

Article 50 of the EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) establishes transparency obligations for certain AI-generated and AI-manipulated content.

Depending on the circumstances, these obligations can include:

- **Machine-readable marking:** Providers of AI systems that generate synthetic images and other content must ensure that their outputs are marked in a machine-readable format and detectable as artificially generated or manipulated, subject to the conditions and exceptions in the Act.
- **Disclosure to people:** Certain AI-generated or manipulated content, including content qualifying as a deepfake, must be disclosed to people exposed to it.
- **Appropriate presentation:** Applicable disclosure must be clear and distinguishable. A machine-readable marker alone does not necessarily satisfy a separate obligation to inform people.

The four Uranus labels are an application-level classification. They do not, by themselves, establish compliance with the EU AI Act. A label stored in an API response is also not necessarily equivalent to embedding a machine-readable mark in the image file or providing a visible disclosure to users.

For the applicable scope, exceptions and practical guidance, consult the official European Commission resources below.

**[Transparency obligations under Article 50](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/faqs/transparency-obligations-under-article-50-ai-act)**

Read the European Commission's frequently asked questions about AI-generated content, marking, disclosure and exceptions.

**[Guidelines on AI transparency obligations](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/guidelines-transparency-obligations-providers-and-deployers-ai-systems)**

Consult the Commission's guidelines for providers and deployers of AI systems.

**[EU AI Act — Article 50](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689)**

Read the underlying regulation, including the transparency obligations for providers and deployers.

## For API consumers

The `image_ai_label` property is optional in an event response and may be omitted when no value is available.

Example:

```json
{
  "image_uuid": "01a09fed-c812-7d7e-b5ff-312de6185160",
  "image_path": "https://api.kulturbytes.de/api/image/01a09fed-c812-7d7e-b5ff-312de6185160",
  "image_ai_label": "ai_generated"
}
```

Clients can use this property to display a suitable disclosure or provide additional information about an image's origin. The presentation should reflect the actual circumstances and any applicable legal requirements.