On 13 July 2023, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released its official guidelines for generative artificial intelligence (AI) services – one of the world’s first major moves to regulate the technology.
The rules, which apply to all generative AI content services provided to the Chinese public, including text, pictures, audio, and video, will come into effect on 15 August. The requirements for platform providers include:
- Conducting a security review and registering their services with the government.
- Where illegal content is discovered, removing the content, improving the algorithm, and reporting to the relevant authority.
- Setting guardrails to prevent minors from becoming addicted to generative AI services.
Compared to an earlier draft published in April soliciting public feedback, the final version removed punitive clauses that included fines of as high as RMB 100,000 (USD 14,000) for violations, as well as the requirement for platform operators to act within a three-month grace period to rectify problematic content. Chinese regulators said they will take an “inclusive and prudent” attitude towards generative AI services and implement a “graded” regulatory approach.
Other regulators involved include the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and China’s broadcasting authority.
According to the CAC’s rules, the regulation aims to encourage innovative applications of generative AI and support the development of related infrastructure like semiconductors.
Access Partnership and the Fair Tech Institute are closely tracking developments on generative AI and the AI landscape in Southeast Asia region and across the world. If you would like to request an expert briefing on this issue or request more information on AI-related issues, please contact Li Xing at [email protected] or Lim May-Ann at [email protected].
