China tightens AI rules as overuse sparks social and safety concerns

As China pushes citizens to adopt artificial intelligence, a string of mishaps—from a farmer in Anhui losing 10.1 hectares of sesame seedlings to minors favoring chatbot interaction over real people—has prompted authorities to act. The Communist Party, seeking to avoid social instability, has issued fresh regulations and judicial guidelines that compel AI platforms to monitor user behavior, intervene in cases of self-harm, and prohibit virtual romantic or familial relationships for minors.

The measures follow reports of AI-driven virtual companions crowding daily life and AI-generated micro dramas dominating short-form video, which critics argue threaten jobs and human interaction. Experts note the party’s sensitivity to any technology that could disrupt social order or the labor market. ByteDance’s Doubao app has already removed its personalized companion feature for children, while users like graphic designer Xie Tong describe AI as an inescapable but burdensome presence.