Sketchfab's Bold New Step: Mandatory AI Disclosure and Epic Games Integration

A revolution is coming to the vibrant world of 3D assets, and Sketchfab is leading the charge with unprecedented transparency measures. Starting December 11, 2025, the digital marketplace giant will fundamentally change how users interact with AI-generated content through comprehensive labeling requirements and enhanced discovery features.

The "CreatedWithAI" Label Revolution

Every AI-generated model on Sketchfab will now proudly bear the "CreatedWithAI" label, marking a seismic shift in platform transparency. This isn't just for models available for sale or download—every single AI-generated model must showcase this badge of clarity, regardless of availability status. Previously, only downloadable or purchasable models required such labeling, but this universal mandate ensures complete transparency across the entire platform ecosystem.

The enhanced search filters rely on accurate labeling, empowering users to either dive into or consciously avoid AI-generated content. This pivotal development transforms how creators and consumers navigate the bustling marketplace of diverse 3D assets, making content discovery more intuitive and personalized than ever before.

Epic Games Partnership and Account Integration

In a significant strategic move, new Sketchfab users will now register exclusively through Epic Games accounts—a natural evolution stemming from Epic's acquisition of Sketchfab in July 2021. This integration brings fresh energy and enhanced community connectivity to the evolving platform, creating seamless workflows between Epic's various creative tools and marketplaces.

Epic Games has positioned itself as a visionary leader in embracing generative AI technology while maintaining respect for artist rights and intellectual property law. CEO Tim Sweeney has been particularly vocal about this balanced approach, stating that "we shouldn't assume all generative AI is terrible or infringing." This philosophy guides Epic's progressive stance toward AI integration across their entire ecosystem.

Loci Acquisition: Advancing AI-Powered Asset Management

Epic's commitment to innovation reached new heights in 2025 with the strategic acquisition of Loci, an AI-powered 3D asset tagging technology trained on over one million 3D assets. Loci boasts remarkable capabilities, claiming to "understand just about any visual style," making it an invaluable addition to Epic's technological arsenal.

Lucia Specia, director of Epic's Machine Learning Solutions team, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration: "Epic creates and hosts a huge amount of 3D content across our ecosystem, and we are always looking for ways to automate artist workflows and improve discoverability of content." This acquisition promises to revolutionize how artists create, discover, and modify 3D content across platforms including Fab, Unreal Engine, and the broader Epic ecosystem.

Streamlined Creative Workflows Through Fab Integration

Epic has further enhanced user experience by integrating Fab, their comprehensive asset marketplace, directly into the Epic Games Launcher. This seamless integration allows creators to "Access Fab's entire library of diverse assets—and all of your Fab acquisitions—without having to leave the Launcher," dramatically simplifying creative workflows and reducing friction in the content creation process.

Advanced features like batch add-to-cart functionality and batch exports demonstrate Epic's commitment to optimizing creator productivity. These improvements reflect a deep understanding of professional workflows and the challenges faced by digital artists working with large quantities of 3D assets.

Industry Leadership in AI Transparency

Despite some hesitation from certain game developers regarding AI's rapid advancement, Epic Games continues to champion the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence. Their published policies on platforms like ArtStation highlight a thoughtful approach that supports artistic freedom while respecting existing legal frameworks.

In some cases, Sketchfab may proactively label models as "CreatedWithAI" when AI involvement is detected, demonstrating their commitment to accurate content classification. This proactive approach ensures that transparency remains paramount, even when creators might overlook proper labeling requirements.

Future Implications for Digital Creation

These developments represent more than simple policy changes—they signal a fundamental shift in how the digital creative industry approaches AI integration. By establishing clear standards for transparency while simultaneously investing in cutting-edge AI technologies, Epic Games is creating a framework that other companies will likely follow.

The combination of mandatory AI disclosure, enhanced discovery tools, streamlined account integration, and advanced AI-powered asset management creates an ecosystem where both AI-assisted and traditional creative workflows can coexist productively. This balanced approach addresses concerns about AI's impact on creative industries while embracing the technology's potential to enhance rather than replace human creativity.

As these changes take effect, the digital asset marketplace will become more transparent, efficient, and user-friendly, setting new standards for how platforms can responsibly integrate AI technologies while maintaining trust and clarity within their creative communities.

Sketchfab mandates AI disclosure, Epic Games accounts

Starting on December 11, new Sketchfab users will use Epic Games accounts, and 3D assets made with Generative AI will require the appropriate label.

Game DeveloperDiego Argüello