China Moves to Regulate AI-Generated “Digital Humans”
China has introduced draft rules to regulate AI-generated “digital humans.” Content must be clearly labeled, harmful services targeting minors will be banned, and unauthorized use of personal data restricted, aiming to balance innovation with safety.
China’s top internet regulator has unveiled a set of draft measures aimed at tightening oversight of artificial intelligence-generated “digital humans,” signaling a broader effort to align rapid technological innovation with regulatory and societal safeguards, according to Reuters.
According to a policy document released for public consultation, authorities intend to require that all content featuring AI-generated human likenesses be clearly and prominently labeled as “digital human.” The proposal reflects growing concern over the potential for such technologies to mislead users, particularly as they become more sophisticated and widespread.
The draft framework introduces a series of restrictions on how these virtual personas may operate online. Notably, it seeks to prohibit digital humans from engaging in services that could negatively affect minors, including offering simulated intimate interactions. In addition, the regulations would bar the dissemination of content deemed harmful to national security, including material that promotes separatism, incites social division, or undermines state authority.
Beyond content controls, the proposed rules also address data protection and identity integrity. The creation of digital humans using an individual’s personal data without explicit consent would be strictly forbidden. Similarly, the use of AI-generated identities to circumvent verification systems is expected to face a comprehensive ban.
Service providers would bear increased responsibility under the new framework. They are encouraged to proactively detect and block harmful or inappropriate material, including content that promotes discrimination, violence, or psychological harm. The draft also calls for intervention mechanisms in cases where users exhibit signs of self-harm or distress, emphasizing a duty of care in digital environments.
The initiative comes amid China’s accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence across key sectors of its economy. While authorities continue to promote innovation, the latest proposals underscore a parallel priority: ensuring that emerging technologies operate within clearly defined ethical and political boundaries.
Officials describe the move as an effort to close regulatory gaps in the rapidly evolving “digital human” industry. In official commentary accompanying the draft, regulators highlighted that governance in this domain has become a matter not only of industry standards but also of broader strategic importance, touching on cybersecurity, public welfare, and the sustainable growth of the digital economy.
Public feedback on the proposed measures is expected to play a role in shaping the final regulatory framework, as policymakers seek to balance technological advancement with risk mitigation in one of the world’s most dynamic digital ecosystems.
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Botakoz Unbayeva
Contributing writer at EUReflect.