China Proposes New Regulations for AI-Generated Digital Humans

New Regulatory Framework for Digital Avatars

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has released a set of draft regulations targeting the rapidly expanding sector of AI-generated digital humans. As these hyper-realistic avatars become increasingly prevalent in broadcasting, customer service, and entertainment, the government is moving to establish a formal legal framework to govern their development and deployment.

Key Provisions and Compliance Requirements

The proposed rules emphasize accountability for companies that create and operate these digital entities. Under the draft guidelines, developers and service providers must adhere to several core requirements:

• Identity Verification: Providers must verify the real-world identities of users who create or operate digital humans.
• Transparency and Labeling: AI-generated content must be clearly labeled to ensure users can distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated interactions.
• Content Moderation: Companies are required to implement robust monitoring systems to prevent the use of digital humans for spreading misinformation, illegal activities, or content that violates social order.
• Data Security: Developers must comply with existing national data protection laws regarding the collection and processing of biometric data used to create these avatars.

Regulators have stated that the goal is to 'promote the healthy development of the industry' while simultaneously 'protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens' from potential misuse, such as deepfake-enabled fraud or the impersonation of individuals without consent.

Addressing Social and Ethical Risks

The rise of digital human technology has prompted concerns regarding the potential for social harm. By formalizing these rules, the CAC aims to curb the unauthorized use of an individual's likeness and prevent the dissemination of harmful content. Industry experts note that this move aligns with China's broader strategy of implementing comprehensive oversight for generative AI technologies, following previous regulations introduced for deep synthesis services and large language models.

Next Steps

The draft rules are currently undergoing a public consultation process, during which industry stakeholders and the public can provide feedback. Once finalized, these regulations will serve as a mandatory standard for all entities operating digital human services within China, marking a significant step in the nation's efforts to govern the ethical application of artificial intelligence.