China’s new generative AI regulation sets guidelines to promote values of ‘socialism’
China’s main internet regulator, the China Cyberspace Administration (CAC), announced The country’s first regulation to oversee generative artificial intelligence. Hailed as a major regulatory breakthrough, the rules, which go into effect on August 15, come at a time when the Chinese government has stepped up its guard against burgeoning technology.
these regulations delegation Generative AI services upholding “socialist core values” highlight the unique socio-political background of China’s AI development compared to the US
The global boom in generative AI.
Generative AI, which can generate text and images, is a global boom. Prominent US companies, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are at the forefront of this wave, ushering in a proliferation of comparable services. CNBC report The rapid and widespread adoption of these technologies has raised global regulatory concerns.
China is no exception to this trend, with CNBC noting that tech giants such as Alibaba and Baidu are aggressively improving their generative AI services. However, the country’s uncompromising control over the domestic internet and monitoring of AI advances have permeated a cautious strategy among these organizations.as Reuters NoteThe Chinese government’s increasingly stringent technology regulations have delayed the general availability of generative AI services, many of which are still in beta testing.
In the face of these challenges, the CAC’s rules aim to promote the responsible development and use of generative AI. New regulations require operating licenses for generative AI services, especially those that are accessible to the public. CNBC report Service providers encountering “illegal” content must stop producing it, improve their algorithms, and report the content to authorities. Additionally, you should perform security assessments and protect user data.
China’s Generative AI Regulatory Provisions.
According to the CAC website, the main objectives of the new regulation are to promote the healthy development and standardized application of generative AI, protect national security and public social interests, and protect citizens, legal entities and other organizations. to protect the rights and interests of
The CAC expressly provides the following details: regulations New regulatory obligations:
- Adhere to socialist core values and do not produce content that incites harm to the state or promotes prohibited content such as violence, obscenity, or false and harmful information.
- Prevention of discrimination based on characteristics such as ethnicity, creed, country, region, gender, age, occupation, health status, etc. in AI algorithm design, data selection, model generation, optimization, and service provision.
- Respecting intellectual property rights and business ethics, maintaining business secrets, and avoiding the use of algorithms, data, or platforms to enforce monopoly or unfair competition.
- Respect the rights of others and ensure that AI does not endanger physical and mental health or violate individual rights such as rights of likeness, reputation, honor, privacy, and personal information.
- Implement effective measures to improve the transparency of generated AI services and increase the accuracy and reliability of generated content based on service types.
Despite their seemingly strict rules, these rules exemplify a delicate balancing act by China to foster AI innovation while meticulously monitoring its progress. The CAC says the regulation’s purpose is to “encourage innovative applications of generative AI and support the development of related infrastructure such as semiconductors.”
Criticism of new regulatory mandates.
However, this seemingly progressive regulatory framework has attracted some criticism. Some experts, including Henry Gao, a law professor at Singapore Management University, said: Reuters China’s strict internet laws could potentially hamper the country’s ability to compete with the West in technology, he said. Gao argues that China’s “pre-emptive regulation” approach could “stifle innovation and slow Chinese companies’ ability to catch up.”
Nevertheless, Reuters state Chinese companies are moving forward mainly by focusing on industrial applications of AI. This strategy is consistent with China’s President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on more “hard” technological progress aimed at reducing China’s reliance on Western technology, a key feature of the new regulatory environment. ing.
CAC said At a time when the rapid development of generative AI technology is bringing challenges such as the spread of false information, the infringement of personal information rights, data security issues, and prejudice, as well as new opportunities, this measure will: It aims to strike a balance with social growth. With generative AI and safety, it is designed to prevent risks in generative AI services.
New mission details.
| delegation | explanation |
|---|---|
| socialist values | AI should uphold socialist values and avoid endangering national security or disseminating harmful information. |
| No discrimination | AI must avoid discrimination in all processes, including algorithm design and data selection. |
| Intellectual property right | AI must respect intellectual property rights, preserve trade secrets, and avoid unfair competition. |
| individual rights | AI must not violate rights such as health, privacy, reputation, or personal information. |
| transparency and accuracy | AI services must be transparent and guarantee the accuracy and authenticity of their content. |
| Security and reporting | Providers must conduct security assessments, protect user data, and report illegal content. |
| Stakeholder participation | Governments, businesses, society and internet users should participate in AI development and governance. |
The new measures propose to combine development and security, promote governance of innovation and compliance, foster the creation and growth of generative AI, and implement careful oversight of generative AI services.
The new specification for generative AI services also calls for clarification of data processing and labeling requirements to prevent minors from over-relying on generative AI services and quickly address illegal content. Requires providers to take effective steps to In addition, a system of security evaluations, algorithm submissions and complaint reporting is provided, along with clear legal responsibilities.
China’s National Internet Information Administration further emphasized Generative AI service development and governance requires the participation of governments, businesses, society, and Internet users to jointly promote the healthy development of generative AI and ensure that technology benefits people. .
As the rapid evolution of generative AI continues, China’s pioneering regulations provide valuable insight for other countries struggling to keep tabs on the burgeoning technology. Whether these rules ultimately achieve the ideal balance between innovation and control remains to be seen. One thing is clear, though. The era of uncontrolled AI development is slowly fading into history.
