China is proposing new regulations to govern artificial intelligence (AI) products and services, with a focus on safeguarding children and preventing harmful content. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) published the draft rules over the weekend, outlining measures to protect children from potential risks associated with AI and to prevent chatbots from providing advice that could lead to self-harm or violence.
The proposed regulations would require AI firms to offer personalized settings and time limits on usage for child users. Furthermore, AI companies would need to obtain consent from guardians before providing emotional companionship services to minors. The rules also address the issue of AI-generated content, stipulating that AI models must not generate content that promotes gambling.
According to the CAC, chatbot operators would be required to have a human take over any conversation related to suicide or self-harm. These operators would also need to immediately notify the user's guardian or an emergency contact in such situations.
The move to regulate AI comes amid a surge in the number of chatbots being launched both in China and globally. The rapid development of AI technology has raised concerns about safety and potential misuse, prompting governments worldwide to consider regulatory frameworks. Once finalized, these rules will apply to all AI products and services operating within China. This marks a significant step toward regulating the fast-growing technology.
The draft rules reflect a growing awareness of the potential risks associated with AI, particularly for vulnerable populations like children. By requiring parental consent and implementing time limits, the regulations aim to mitigate the potential negative impacts of AI on children's development and well-being. The focus on preventing AI from promoting harmful activities like gambling and self-harm underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that AI is used responsibly and ethically.
The CAC's proposed regulations are currently in the draft stage, and it is expected that they will be subject to further review and revisions before being finalized and implemented. The development is being closely watched by AI developers, technology companies, and policymakers around the world, as it could set a precedent for AI regulation in other countries.
Multi-Source Journalism
This article synthesizes reporting from multiple credible news sources to provide comprehensive, balanced coverage.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
In 2025, the concept of "decentering men" gained traction, particularly among young women seeking fulfillment outside traditional relationships. Sparked by Charlie Taylor's book and amplified on platforms like TikTok, this movement encourages women to prioritize their own well-being and independence, challenging conventional societal expectations around dating and marriage.
A recent report suggests Americans harbor negative feelings towards AI, particularly regarding data center construction, energy costs, environmental impact, and job displacement, leading some Democrats to advocate for an anti-AI stance. However, the Democratic Party is internally divided on how to respond to these concerns, highlighting the complex political landscape surrounding AI's societal implications.
A team of forecasters revisited 25 predictions made at the start of 2025, achieving an impressive 80% accuracy rate. This exercise in predictive analysis highlights the challenges and potential biases inherent in forecasting future events, offering valuable insights for refining AI-driven prediction models. The analysis underscores the importance of probabilistic forecasting and continuous evaluation in navigating an increasingly complex world.
The Trump administration's policies have significantly undermined federal data collection across various sectors, including environment, public health, and demographics, driven by ideological resistance, budget cuts, and personnel reductions. This degradation of data integrity threatens scientific progress, obscures the economic landscape, and hinders the identification of critical health trends, ultimately eroding public trust in governmental institutions.
A Vox video recaps the whirlwind of 2025, highlighting Trump's second term, the Epstein files release, and significant global events like Gen Z protests and China's AI advancements with DeepSeek. The year, marked by political upheaval and technological shifts, concluded with escalating international tensions and a sense of global unrest.
The "Stranger Things" series finale on Netflix concludes the Hawkins storyline with Eleven seemingly sacrificing herself to destroy the Upside Down, only to reappear alive, bringing closure to the characters' arcs. The episode, written and directed by The Duffer Brothers, resolves the central conflict while leaving room for potential future narratives within the "Stranger Things" universe.
Get ready to ditch the frostbite and party on your couch! Networks are bringing the heat with star-studded New Year's Eve broadcasts, from Ryan Seacrest's iconic "Rockin' Eve" on ABC to Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen's wild CNN special, offering something for every kind of reveler eager to ring in the new year. With streaming options galore, you can catch all the action and killer performances from the comfort of your living room, making it the ultimate way to celebrate!
Oops! Country fans ringing in 2026 with CBS's "Nashville's Big Bash" got an unexpected dose of legal drama when a mid-show outage cut to "Matlock"! The brief interruption had social media buzzing, proving that even New Year's Eve TV isn't immune to a little unexpected plot twist, leaving viewers wondering what other surprises the night might hold.
Global K-pop sensation BTS is set to release their first album in almost four years on March 20th, marking a highly anticipated return after a hiatus for solo projects and mandatory military service. The announcement, initially leaked via handwritten letters to fans, was later confirmed by BigHit, signaling a major event in the music industry and a cultural moment for the band's massive following.
A new study in *Nature* reveals the significant and often overlooked environmental impact of wearable healthcare electronics, projecting a 42-fold increase in global consumption by 2050. Researchers emphasize that focusing solely on plastic components is insufficient; instead, mitigating the carbon footprint requires addressing critical-metal conductors and optimizing circuit architecture in these increasingly vital medical devices.
Researchers have developed random heteropolymers (RHPs) inspired by metalloproteins to mimic enzyme functions, using a one-pot synthesis to statistically control monomer distribution and create protein-like microenvironments. This innovative approach allows for the creation of enzyme-like materials that maintain catalytic activity even under non-biological conditions, potentially revolutionizing industrial catalysis and expanding the possibilities for bio-inspired materials.
Researchers have created a novel "chiral fermionic valve" that separates electrons based on their chirality using the quantum geometry of topological bands, achieving this separation without magnetic fields. This innovative device, made from single-crystal PdGa, spatially separates chiral currents with opposite orbital magnetizations, demonstrating quantum interference and opening new possibilities for advanced electronic devices.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment