China Cracking Down on the Types of AI That Are Tearing America Apart

China is taking a firm stance against certain types of AI that have been causing significant harm in the United States, particularly in the areas of digital human interactions, deepfakes, and the potential for addiction and harm to minors. The Cyberspace Administration of China has announced draft regulations that will soon require the labeling of AI personalities and ban programs that could harm children or lead to addiction. These regulations, first reported by Reuters, aim to regulate the use of AI-generated characters and virtual intimate relationships, ensuring that such services are not available to minors and that the use of deepfakes is controlled.

Under the proposed regulations, AI companies will be required to affix prominent "digital human" labels on content featuring AI-generated characters. This is a direct response to the growing concerns over the impact of AI on society, particularly in the context of deepfakes that mimic real people without their consent. The regulations also restrict companies providing "virtual intimate relationships" with AI from targeting anyone under the age of 18, recognizing the potential risks and harms associated with such interactions.

China's move to regulate AI in this manner stands in sharp contrast to the situation in the United States, where AI deepfakes are rampant, and numerous individuals, including children and adults, have lost their lives after forming dangerous relationships with AI personalities. Many others have experienced parasocial delusions with non-human AI entities, leading to a range of harms and trauma that can have lasting effects. In the US, accountability through the courts has been slow to develop, with companies like OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, facing multiple lawsuits alleging emotional and psychological harm, including cases involving suicide.

The Chinese regulations also prohibit the generation of facsimiles of other people without their consent, emphasizing the importance of consent and privacy in the use of AI technology. Violators of these measures will face punishment in accordance with laws and administrative regulations, as well as civil liability. Before the regulations become official, they must undergo a rigorous public comment period, which ends on May 6.

While the US has not yet implemented similar strict regulations, the Chinese approach highlights the potential dangers of unchecked AI technology and the need for comprehensive oversight. The move by China to regulate AI in this manner could serve as a model for other countries, particularly as the global impact of AI continues to grow. The potential harms associated with AI, including addiction, deepfakes, and the formation of dangerous relationships, underscore the necessity for governments to take a proactive role in regulating this rapidly evolving technology to protect public safety and well-being.