A public register to say yes, no, or conditionally to AI

RSL Media launched the Human Consent Registry at the European Parliament to let creators declare how AI platforms can use their identity, voice, and works.

Consent becomes an AI-readable signal with RSL Media's Human Consent Registry, launched at the European Parliament with Cate Blanchett and MEP Eva Maydell. The principle is intentionally simple: to allow an individual, an artist, a rights holder, or an authorized representative to declare how their identity can be used by AI. Three statuses are provided: authorized, authorized with conditions, or prohibited. Identity here covers name, image, likeness, voice, movements, and other recognizable personal attributes. The categories “works”, “characters”, and “brands” are to follow.

In practice, the user verifies their identity on RSLMedia.org, declares their permissions, then these choices are translated into actionable signals for AI platforms and systems. The idea is not just to publish a general opposition, but also to indicate paths for authorization: credit, payment, usage limits, or permission requests. The registry can be used directly by unrepresented individuals, while artists, athletes, or creators represented by an agent, a management organization, or a licensing structure can route requests through these intermediaries.

RSL Media builds on the logic of the Really Simple Licensing standard, already designed to make usage rights readable at scale. The difference here is significant: it's no longer just about content located at a URL, but a right attached to an identity, a work, a character, or a distinctive sign, wherever it appears. Stated supporters include Creative Artists Agency, Emma Thompson, Helen Mirren, George Clooney, Javier Bardem, Kristen Stewart, Meryl Streep, Steven Soderbergh, Tom Hanks, Viola Davis, and Music Artists Coalition. The challenge now will be adoption by AI platforms: a consent registry only becomes truly useful if the actors who train, generate, or distribute content agree to consult it and take it into account.