Pareesa Afreen 
Dec 27, 2025
China has unveiled a new set of draft regulations aimed at tightening oversight of artificial intelligence systems designed to mimic human personalities and emotional interaction, signalling Beijing’s growing focus on AI ethics, safety, and consumer protection.
The plan, published by China’s cyber regulator, is aimed at AI services and products that have human-like communication behaviour, reactions, and traits.
According to Reuters, the new rules require providers of artificial intelligence services to assume responsibility for safety from development through to the end-of-life stage. There must be a system for assessing algorithms, protecting data, and securing personal information, in line with current laws governing cybersecurity and privacy.
One very important aspect that has been proposed in the plan regards the welfare of the users and the prevention of addictions. The service providers would be required to estimate how emotionally dependent users are on the services that use AI technology.
If such use turns out to be addictive or emotionally extreme, the organisations will be given the authority, and in some cases will be compelled, to take corrective action.
The draft also tightens content governance requirements. The AI system cannot produce content that poses a threat to security, as well as content that contains misinformation, disinformation, violence, and obscenity. The providers must have an effective content moderation system that does not generate this content.
As per the proposal, this would apply to all AI products and services offered within China, with a focus on systems that have the capability to mimic patterns of human thinking and/or personalities.
