Chinese regulator says AI must promote mainstream values

Chinese regulators have said the AI used by the country’s social media, websites and apps must direct users to approved material and the promotion of China. It wants them to not recommend content threatening national security, containing sexual material or promoting extravagance, gossip and scandals. The Cyberspace Administration of China's draft regulations said technology should promote mainstream values and cover subjects such as the thoughts of Xi Jinping and socialist values. Party mouthpiece People’s Daily said internet platforms have tried to control content themselves but failed because their technology focused on users’ interests not content quality.

China’s ruling Communist Party is increasingly turning to technology to cement its ideological control over society. Photo: Shutterstock