July 13, 2023
By Sharan Kaur Phillora
The Chinese government is looking to introduce stricter regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) development, particularly focusing on content control and licensing.
Here’s what we know:
According to a report from the Financial Times on July 11, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is proposing a new system that would require local companies to obtain a license before releasing generative AI systems.
This move indicates a shift from the initial draft regulations released in April, which only required companies to register their products with authorities within ten working days after launch. The forthcoming regulations, expected to be released by the end of this month, are likely to include the new licensing scheme, as revealed by sources familiar with the matter.
The April draft also included provisions for mandatory security reviews of AI-generated content. The Chinese government emphasized that all content should embody “core socialist values” and not undermine state power, advocate for the overthrow of the socialist system, incite separatism, or undermine national unity.
Cointelegraph reached out to the CAC for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication. It’s worth noting that Chinese tech and e-commerce giants Baidu and Alibaba have already released AI tools this year, with the latter offering competition to the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT.
According to sources cited in the Financial Times report, Baidu and Alibaba have engaged with regulators over the past few months to ensure their products comply with the upcoming regulations. In addition to the aforementioned implications, the draft regulations hold tech companies accountable for any content created using their AI models.
Regulating AI-generated content has been a global concern, with various countries calling for measures to address the issue. In the United States, Senator Michael Bennet recently authored a letter urging tech companies to label AI-generated content. Similarly, Vera Jourova, the European Commission’s vice president for values and transparency, stressed the need to label generative AI tools that have the potential to generate disinformation in order to combat its spread.
As China moves towards implementing tighter regulations on generative AI tools, it aims to strike a balance between technological advancement and maintaining control over content that aligns with the country’s ideological framework.
The forthcoming regulations will likely significantly impact the development and deployment of AI systems in China’s tech industry.
About the author
Sharan Kaur Phillora’s thirst for knowledge has led her to study many different subjects, including NFTs and Blockchain technology – two emerging technologies that will change how we interact with each other in the future. When she isn’t exploring a new idea or concept, she enjoys reading literary masterpieces.