China Unveils New Draft Regulation to Regulate AI Generated Content

China is actively taking steps towards increasing transparency around AI generated information being rolled out on the internet. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s National Internet Regulator, recently released a draft regulation that includes labeling instructions for AI-generated content. The regulation, titled as AI-Generated Synthetic Content Labeling Measures (人工智能生成合成内容标识办法(征求意见稿), targets on providers of AI-generated text, images, audio, and video to enhance transparency. This draft takes inspiration from laws such as the Cybersecurity Law and AI Service Management Provisions.

The goal is to introduce a unified standard for AI related content moderation and reduce the growing amount of misinformation and deepfakes on the internet. 

• Explicit Labels: Visible marks such as disclaimers or watermarks must be placed on AI-generated text, images, audio, and video. For example, AI-generated videos need clear marks on the opening frame, while text must display disclaimers at appropriate points.

• Implicit Labels: Hidden data, such as metadata or watermarks, must be embedded in AI-generated files. These markers contain information such as the content’s source, AI service provider, and a unique identifier. Implicit labels are not immediately visible but can be detected by platforms and authorities to verify content authenticity.

Implementing these regulations come with a financial barrier. Platforms like Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, Weibo, Douyin, and Kuaishou have implemented AI content declarations, but the same would be tough for smaller firms. This step is also an effort towards national and public security in China.

China vs India 

Beijing has always remained cautious of emerging technologies, and a step ahead in regulating them, especially when compared to the U.S or E.U. The director of CAC, Zhuang Rongwen, is an influential figure not just in China, but also in the West. 

Part of the Time’s 100 list released last month, Rongwen has consistently worked to implement the values of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and has actively ensured the country’s sway in the growing GenAI race against the West. When ChatGPT launched in 2022, China introduced legislation the following year to control the explosion of AI  wherein companies would require government approval before deploying models publicly. “China is very much ahead of the game in terms of self-regulating AI within their own nation-state,” said Sen. Mark Warner, in an interview to Politico last year on how China leads the world on AI rules, leaving the rest behind. 

In India, earlier this year, MeiTy issued an advisory (which was later revised) on the labeling of AI related content online - which came in after the Gemini AI fiasco.  Previously, the advisory also included companies to seek government approval before launching new models as well, which received a lot of criticism, stating that it would hinder innovation.