Chinese regulators to impose obligations for AI algorithms to promote ‘mainstream values’

The Cyberspace Administration of China has published a set of draft regulations which would oblige online services to make sure that the algorithms they use promote ‘mainstream values’. The obligation would apply to Chinese social media platforms, websites, and apps that use artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to recommend content to their users. They would have to ensure that the algorithms direct people towards online content that is in line with China’s ‘mainstream values’. Cited by the South China Morning Post, the draft regulations state that ‘online information providers that use algorithms to push customised information [to users] should build recommendation systems that promote mainstream values, and establish mechanisms for manual intervention and override’. The draft rules are open for public consultation for a month and will likely enter into force by the end of 2019.