China’s new development plan includes AI safety goals – Xinhua

Chinese leadership has unveiled a comprehensive set of economic development guidelines that prioritize the establishment of artificial intelligence safeguards, while simultaneously expanding the application of AI across various industries, according to state news agency Xinhua. These guidelines, issued by the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee and the State Council, are designed to accelerate the growth of new quality productive forces.

They outline 19 key measures across five areas, including advancing scientific and technological innovation, and deepening the integration of scientific and technological progress with industrial innovation. A central focus of these guidelines is the full implementation of China's "AI Plus" initiative, which aims to revolutionize industries through the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence technology.

Additionally, the guidelines emphasize the need for robust systems for technology monitoring, early risk warning, and emergency response to ensure AI is used in a safe, reliable, and controllable manner. This development comes in the wake of President Xi Jinping's recent assertion that AI should remain "under human control," advocating for the creation of comprehensive laws, technological oversight, early warning systems, and emergency response mechanisms.

Conversely, US President Donald Trump has advocated for more limited government regulation of AI, viewing it as a key area of competition with China. In contrast, top US tech leaders recently signed a self-regulation agreement during a meeting with Trump, describing it as a "morally binding" commitment. China has long maintained a comprehensive and evolving regulatory framework for AI, including specific regulations governing the use of AI companion bots, which took effect in July to prevent emotional dependency and prohibit the creation of digital clones of real individuals without their consent.