CDMSI adopts Guidance Note on generative AI implications for freedom of expression

IRIS 2026-1:1/20

Freedom of Expression and CDMSI Division

Council of Europe

During its 28th plenary meeting held between 3 and 5 December 2025, the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) adopted a Guidance Note on generative AI implications for freedom of expression.

The new Guidance Note focuses on the implications of Generative AI for freedom of expression. Providing for unimagined opportunities at scale and at speed, Generative AI also raises concerns regarding the lack of transparency, quality, accuracy, repeatability and reliability of AI-generated content. The Guidance Note addresses these issues firstly by outlining the key characteristics of Generative AI technology and its lifecycle. Then, it identifies the structural implications that, both at an individual and societal level, affect the foundations of freedom of expression. Standardisation of expression, hallucination, deep fakes, voice cloning, disinformation and opinion manipulation are only some of the known use cases.  Finally, the document delivers a concrete set of actionable measures for policymakers and other relevant stakeholders through an agile governance cycle built on four interlocking areas: observe, assess, enable and empower.