Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Calls For Effective Legislation

China has developed a toolkit of AI governance mechanisms by regulating social media, online gaming, e-commerce and other digital sectors. This has enabled the country to establish an effective legislative approach that is suited to the fast-moving nature of AI.

The approach is marked by China first introducing targeted, sector-specific regulations to address concrete issues, and moving toward a comprehensive national AI law once the necessary conditions are in place.

AI technologies are applied across highly diverse industries with vastly different risk profiles and regulatory needs. Sector-specific legislation therefore provides more precise institutional solutions, avoiding the excessive generality that often accompanies comprehensive legislation. Judicial practice, local legislation and regulatory pilot programs can generate valuable experience and institutional models, laying a solid foundation for future national legislation.