The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has unveiled a comprehensive draft of new regulations aimed at governing the deployment of generative artificial intelligence (AI), with a primary focus on safeguarding minors and mitigating critical mental health risks. This regulatory push represents a significant step in Beijing’s ongoing effort to establish a robust legal architecture for emerging technologies, emphasizing the social responsibility of AI developers.
Central to the proposal is the requirement for AI service providers to implement stringent content filtering and age-appropriate guardrails. The draft mandates that AI-generated outputs must not contain content that could harm the physical or mental well-being of children. Beyond simple moderation, the CAC is advocating for a ‘positive value’ framework, where algorithms are optimized to prioritize educational and constructive content for younger demographics while discouraging digital addiction.
Furthermore, the regulations address high-stakes safety concerns, specifically regarding self-harm and suicide. Under the new rules, AI platforms must be equipped to identify prompts or generated responses that indicate a risk of self-harm. Providers will be legally obligated to intervene in such instances, offering immediate support resources and reporting high-risk patterns to the authorities. This proactive stance on mental health reflects an increasing global awareness of the psychological impact of conversational AI and automated systems.
For the tech industry, these measures necessitate a ‘safety-by-design’ philosophy. Companies operating within the Chinese market will likely need to increase investments in real-time monitoring, data labeling, and refined moderation logic to remain compliant. As China continues to iterate on its AI governance—building upon the interim measures established in 2023—these latest proposals signal a shift toward highly granular, sector-specific oversight that prioritizes public welfare alongside technological advancement.
