China's cyberspace regulator launches campaign to oversee AI-generated content

China's cyberspace regulator will conduct a special campaign to regulate content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) on the internet. Analysts said that the campaign is in line with the country's efforts to boost AI development while safeguarding cybersecurity.

The campaign will focus on 10 major rectification tasks, including the identification for AI-generated content, optimization of the business network environment - rectification of the confusion around enterprise-related infringing on private information, cracking down on illegal internet news and information services, as well as rectification of false and vulgar chaos in livestreaming, according to a notice published by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Friday.

In terms of AI, the CAC urged website platforms to mark AI-generated information and tag fictional content, as well as handling illegal accounts that use generative or synthetic algorithm technology to create rumors and marketing hype.

This year, AI-related industries in China are expected to achieve significant development, of which the application of generative AI technology is a particular focus, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow from the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

"Therefore, there is a need to improve regulatory policies to ensure the responsible use of AI technologies and protect data privacy," Wang said.

The campaign is in line with China's efforts to boost generative AI technology, while at the same time stipulating basic norms for generative AI service providers, analysts noted.

An interim regulation on the management of generative AI services went into effect in August 2023. The CAC said that the move was aimed at promoting the sound development of generative AI and its standard applications, safeguarding national security and social public interests, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal entities and organizations.

As China's first comprehensive AI regulation, named Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services, covers an array of measures to enhance generative AI technology while establishing basic norms for providers of generative AI services.

China is a pioneer in enacting AI-related policies and sees technology as a key tool to boost economic development and national strength, Wang said.

In 2023, the enterprise adoption rate for generative AI in China reached 15 percent, representing a market size of 14.4 trillion yuan ($2 trillion), according to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

It is estimated that in 2035, generative AI could contribute nearly 90 trillion yuan of economic value to the world, of which China could contribute more than 30 trillion yuan.