China Issues Draft Regulating AI Affecting Mental Health

China has released new draft regulations aimed specifically at governing artificial intelligence systems that mimic human communication patterns. 

The rules represent the first major regulatory framework that addresses the behavioral and psychological impacts of interactive AI systems.

The requirements are as follows: AI service providers must actively identify users' emotional states and monitor for signs of dependence on the service. If users display extreme emotions or addictive behavior, companies are required to take action to reduce potential harm.

Rather than simply filtering what the AI generates, the rules require platforms to monitor what users are experiencing and whether engagement with the service is becoming psychologically problematic.

As conversational AI systems become more personable and available 24/7, behavioral researchers have documented increasing user dependence on these systems. Unlike traditional software, AI that responds intelligently to human emotion can encourage extended engagement in ways that users may not recognize as manipulation.

The draft rules also specify content restrictions. AI services cannot generate material that threatens national security, spreads rumors, promotes violence, or produces obscene content. These restrictions align with existing Chinese content moderation standards and are now extended to AI-generated outputs as well.

China has done a couple things very well here. The first being that the rules are open for public feedback before finalization, suggesting this is an evolving conversation rather than a fixed policy. The second point, of course, is that AI providers must monitor psychological impact, which sets a precedent that other regulators are likely to follow.