China Sets New Guardrails for Human-like AI: Tightening Oversight on Emotional Interaction and Digital Addiction

China’s Cyberspace Administration has unveiled a draft of sweeping new regulations targeting AI services designed to simulate human personality and emotional engagement. This regulatory push seeks to govern the rapid expansion of consumer-facing AI, focusing on the psychological risks associated with virtual entities that mimic human thought patterns and communication styles. The draft mandates that service providers implement intervention mechanisms to prevent users from developing emotional dependency or "AI addiction," requiring real-time monitoring of user sentiments and psychological well-being.

The proposed framework establishes stringent "red lines" regarding content and conduct. It prohibits the generation of any material that threatens national security, promotes violence, or spreads misinformation. Furthermore, providers are held legally accountable for the entire lifecycle of their AI products, necessitating rigorous algorithm audits and robust data protection measures. By integrating ethical standards with national security priorities, Beijing aims to foster a "responsible" AI ecosystem that safeguards users from the potential social and psychological fallout of hyper-realistic digital interactions.