Beijing’s approach aligns with a broader five-year policy blueprint to integrate AI into the economy while tightening industry governance.

China is rolling out regulations to close governance gaps in the digital human sector as part of its broader AI push and effort to align technology with socialist values, with governance framed as a matter of cyberspace security, public interest, and high-quality digital economy development.

The Cyberspace Administration published a draft set of regulations requiring prominent labeling for all content involving digital humans and set expectations for robust labeling, age verification, content moderation, and user monitoring, with penalties for non-compliance.

The rules ban digital humans from offering intimate relationships to users under 18, prohibit using anyone’s personal data to create digital humans without consent, and restrict services that could mislead children or foster addiction.

All digital human content must carry clear, prominent labeling to distinguish it from real people and prevent public confusion amid advanced AI.

Providers must block content that endangers national security or unity, prohibit sexually suggestive material, horror or discriminatory depictions, and prevent digital humans from bypassing identity verification.

CAC describes the rules as essential for national security and the safe, high-quality development of the digital economy.

Regulators urge platforms to monitor users for signs of depression, suicidal or self-harming tendencies, and to provide professional help when needed, addressing vulnerable users with proactive intervention.

The CAC's draft outlines strong labeling, age checks, content moderation, and user monitoring to ensure compliance and deter violations.

Public consultation on the draft rules is open until May 6, inviting feedback to help fill the governance gaps in the digital human sector.

Officials say the regulations address concerns about addiction, emotional manipulation, and the blurred lines between real and artificial relationships, particularly among youth.

The regulations reflect the government’s intent to shape digital human technology to fit public-interest goals and governance objectives.