How to Comply with Watermarking AI-Generated Content — CA AI Transparency Act

SB 942 · CA · Effective Jan 1, 2026

In effect

Apply watermarking or similar disclosure for AI-generated content where required.

Implementation steps

  1. Identify which outputs are AI-generated and in scope.
  2. Implement watermarking or machine-detectable disclosure.
  3. Document the method and ensure it is applied consistently.
  4. Make detection tools available if required.

Evidence needed

  • Watermarking specification
  • Sample outputs
  • Detection tool availability

Passing criteria

  • In-scope content watermarked or disclosed
  • Detection available if required
Penalties: Up to $5K per violation. Enforced by Attorney General.

Get your full compliance roadmap

We map this requirement and every other to your AI systems. Sign up free.

Free compliance checkerorSign up free

← Back to CA AI Transparency Act · All regulations

Live