China’s plans for humane AI could set the tone for global AI regulations
Beijing is set to tighten China’s regulations for humanoid artificial intelligence, with a heavy emphasis on user safety and social values.
China is moving forward on plans to regulate human-like artificial intelligence, including forcing AI companies to ensure that users know they are interacting with a bot online.
Under a proposal issued on Saturday by China’s cyberspace regulatorPeople will have to inform if they are using the AI-powered service – when logging in and again every two hours. According to the proposal, humanoid AI systems such as chatbots and agents would also need to have guardrails in place to support “core socialist values” and maintain national security.
Additionally, AI companies must undergo security reviews and notify local government agencies if they launch any new humanizing AI tools. And chatbots that attempt to engage users on an emotional level will be banned from creating any content that would encourage suicide or self-harm or that could be considered harmful to mental health. They will also be barred from producing output related to gambling or obscene or violent material.
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A growing body of research shows that AI chatbots are incredibly persuasive, and there are growing concerns about the technology’s addiction and its potential to drive people toward harmful actions.
China’s plans may change – the draft proposal is open for comment until January 25, 2026. But the effort underscores Beijing’s effort to boost the country’s domestic AI industry ahead of the US, which includes Shaping global AI regulationThe proposal also stands in contrast to Washington, DC’s lax approach to regulating the technology, This past January it was President Donald Trump finished off Biden-era security proposal to regulate the AI industry. And earlier this month Trump targeted State-level regulations designed to regulate AI threaten legal action against states with laws that the federal government deems to interfere with AI progress.
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