Chinese regulators have recently announced the finalization of groundbreaking rules that govern generative artificial intelligence (AI), marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to increase oversight of this rapidly-growing technology. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), a powerful regulatory body, collaborated with several other regulators to develop these new regulations, which are set to take effect on August 15.
Generative AI is an area of technology that has been experiencing rapid growth, enabling AI services to generate content such as text or images. One prominent example of generative AI is ChatGPT, developed by US firm OpenAI, which allows users to interact with a chatbot and receive replies to their queries. However, the success of ChatGPT has led to the emergence of rival services, causing global regulators to express concerns about the potential risks associated with this technology.
Chinese technology giants have also joined the generative AI trend, announcing plans and launching their own AI services. However, China, known for its tight control over the domestic internet through censorship and regulation, is closely monitoring the development of AI. Chinese regulators are particularly concerned about the potential for generative AI services to produce content that contradicts Beijing’s views or ideology.
As a result of these concerns, Chinese tech companies have been cautious about launching services similar to ChatGPT. Instead of creating widely-available public services, Chinese firms have focused on developing technology for enterprise and narrow uses. For instance, Alibaba recently launched an AI tool called Tongyi Wanxiang, which generates images from prompts, but it is currently only available for enterprise customers for beta testing.
Nevertheless, the new rules established by the CAC provide technology giants with a framework to navigate generative AI. These rules will only apply to generative AI services that are accessible to the general public, excluding those being developed in research institutions. Generative AI service providers will be required to obtain licenses to operate, and if they come across “illegal” content, they must take measures to stop generating such content, improve their algorithms, and report the material to the relevant authority. Providers must also conduct security assessments on their products to ensure user information remains secure. The CAC emphasized that generative AI services in China must adhere to the “core values of socialism.”
Regulators are currently striving to strike a delicate balance between establishing China as an AI leader and closely monitoring its development. The CAC’s rules aim to encourage innovative applications of generative AI while also supporting the development of related infrastructure, such as semiconductors.
Overall, the finalization of these rules represents a significant step in China’s efforts to regulate and oversee generative AI, ensuring that its development aligns with the country’s interests and values.