Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Publication Title

Journal of Free Speech Law

Abstract

As people debate whether the First Amendment protects generative AI outputs, we should also reflect on what the global freedom of expression standard has to say on the matter. This standard will affect discussions around national and regional regulatory approaches to generative AI throughout the world. In addition, global corporate responsibility standards call on companies to respect international human rights in their operations, which may also impact how businesses that provide generative AI services approach their activities.

I argue that the global free expression standard protects the rights of individuals to seek and receive information of any kind, including gen AI outputs—and that if human speakers share gen AI outputs as part of their own speech, this global standard also protects those speakers’ right to impart information. Governmental attempts to restrict gen AI outputs are therefore subject to the standard’s safeguards on how this human right can be limited. Companies providing general-purpose gen AI services should also respect human rights, including freedom of expression, in their operations.

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