China plans to revise Cybersecurity Law to address challenges imposed by AI

China is planning to amend a law to further seek a balance between artificial intelligence development and security, so as to better regulate the application of the technology, said an official from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, on Thursday.

Wang Xiang, spokesman for the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, highlighted that revising the Cybersecurity Law aims to address the new challenges that AI imposes on the online environment, as well as to promote the healthy and orderly development of AI in a beneficial, safe and equitable manner.

Citing the draft amendment to the Cybersecurity Law, he noted that AI-related research on fundamental theories and the development of key technologies such as algorithms will be given strong support.

"The construction of AI infrastructure will continue to be advanced, while ethical guidelines for AI will be improved," he said. "Additionally, the monitoring, assessment, and regulation of AI security risks will be strengthened."

The draft amendment law is about to be submitted to a session of the NPC Standing Committee, which is scheduled to open in Beijing on Friday, for further review.

Besides the item, Chinese lawmakers will review draft revisions to the Maritime Law, the Organic Law of Villagers' Committees and the Organic Law of Urban Residents' Committees, according to Wang.

Draft laws on procuratorial public-interest litigation and farmland protection and quality improvement, along with some conventions and treaties, will also be discussed during the session, he added.