In a significant move to govern the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence, China has unveiled a comprehensive set of regulations specifically targeting AI systems that mimic human behavior. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country's top internet regulator, published these rules, which are set to take effect on January 10, 2025.
Defining and Controlling "Deep Synthesis"
The new regulations focus on what is termed "deep synthesis" technology. This encompasses a wide range of AI-driven applications designed to generate or alter content that appears convincingly human. The list includes technologies for creating realistic text, images, audio, and video. Common examples covered are intelligent chatbots, AI voice assistants, and tools that can generate or manipulate faces in videos—a field often associated with deepfakes.
A core mandate of the rules is the requirement for clear and conspicuous labeling. Any content produced using these human-like AI technologies must be marked to indicate its synthetic nature. This measure is aimed squarely at preventing public confusion and deception, ensuring users can distinguish between AI-generated and authentic human-created material.
Strict Prohibitions and Ethical Guardrails
The CAC's framework establishes firm ethical and legal boundaries for the use of human-like AI. The regulations explicitly forbid deploying this technology for activities that could disrupt the social order or national security. More specifically, the rules ban the use of AI to generate or spread fake news and disinformation.
Furthermore, the guidelines prohibit the use of deep synthesis technology for activities deemed illegal and immoral. This includes creating content for fraud, slander, or defamation. Service providers are also barred from using the technology to engage in unfair competition through deceptive means. A critical provision requires that AI services must not generate content that endangers national security, damages the national image, or undermines national interests.
Implications for Providers and the Global Stage
The responsibility for compliance falls heavily on the shoulders of technology service providers. They are required to implement robust security measures and conduct thorough real-identity verification of their users. This "know your customer" approach is intended to create accountability and traceability in the use of powerful AI tools.
These rules represent one of the world's earliest and most specific attempts to regulate the emerging domain of human-like generative AI. While other nations and regions, like the European Union with its AI Act, are crafting broader legislation, China's move provides a focused template for managing the unique risks of AI systems that can impersonate humans. The development signals China's intent to foster innovation within a controlled framework, aiming to mitigate the societal risks of misinformation and fraud while steering the development of its substantial AI industry.
The announcement has drawn global attention, as it may influence how other countries approach the regulation of similar technologies. For developers and companies operating in the AI space, both within China and internationally, these rules highlight the increasing importance of building ethical safeguards and transparency features directly into their products from the outset.
