China is among the first few nations in the world to subject AI to regulation and supervision.

China has introduced a new regulation for generative artificial intelligence (AI), making it one of the first countries to do so. The guidelines, released by the Cyberspace Administration of China, aim to manage the rapidly growing industry and will take effect from August 15.

Compared to an earlier draft, the published version has relaxed certain provisions, indicating that Beijing recognizes the potential of the industry for economic growth and job creation. The regulations will apply only to services available to the general public in China, exempting technology developed in research institutions or intended for overseas use. (CNN Business)

The latest version also removed punitive measures, such as high fines for violations. Further, in order to foster innovation, the Chinese government promotes the creative application of generative AI across various industries and provides support for the advancement of reliable and secure technology, software, and computing capabilities.

China also encourages participation in the formulation of international rules and standards related to generative AI.

Chinese tech companies, including Baidu, Alibaba, and JD.com, are in the process of launching their own AI chatbot services as generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, have gained significant popularity worldwide.

However, according to the regulations, generative AI service providers are obligated to undergo security assessments and register their algorithms with the government if their services have the potential to impact public sentiment or generate public engagement.

Some observers predict that the competition in emerging technologies, including generative AI, could intensify the existing US-China rivalry. There are concerns that the regulations may stifle innovation in China’s AI industry, which is crucial for the country’s ambition to compete with the United States in high-tech.

Ultimately, regulators will aim to strike a balance between development and security and will oversee the rules through various national agencies.

Related Story:  Chinese Regulatory Crackdown On Generative AI

Photo (AI) by Gigi on Unsplash

Photo (Great Wall Of China) by Jackson Sophat on Unsplash