BEIJING: China’s technology ministry has announced plans to introduce regulations for the "digital human" industry, aiming to mandate the clear labeling of AI-generated personas and strictly ban them from establishing virtual intimate relationships with minors. The proposed guidelines highlight growing regulatory scrutiny over the societal impact of advanced artificial intelligence as it becomes increasingly integrated into the digital economy.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is seeking public comment on the draft, which is expected to be finalized this year. Central to the plan is the requirement for content providers to ensure all "digital humans"—defined by officials as computer-generated characters with human-like appearance and behavior—are explicitly identifiable as non-human. This move is seen as critical for transparency and preventing user deception.
Crucially, the regulation aims to protect minors from potential exploitation or emotional harm. The guidelines prohibit the creation or use of digital humans that target children with content fostering addictive or emotionally dependent "intimate relationships," an area where AI companions and influencers have found a significant and often unregulated market. Strict penalties are anticipated for violations involving children, reflecting a broader push for youth safety in digital environments.
The draft rules further address broader data security and ethical concerns, outlining principles for the collection and use of biometric data used to create hyper-realistic avatars. Industry analysts note that these measures are intended to address the rapid growth of the digital human sector, which now spans virtual livestreams, customer service, and entertainment across various Chinese platforms.
This initiative underscores a willingness on Beijing's part to set standards for AI regulation, balancing the promotion of technological innovation with rigorous social controls, particularly concerning public perception, safety, and the protection of vulnerable demographics.
