On June 20, the Cyberspace Administration of China released the filing list of domestic deep synthesis service algorithms (June 2023), including Baidu Wensheng Graph Content Generation Algorithm, Baidu PLATO Large Model Algorithm, Meituan Online Intelligent Customer Service Algorithm, Kuaishou Short Video Generation Synthesis Algorithm, Volcano Engine Intelligent Beautification Special Effects Algorithm, Tencent Meeting Virtual Background Algorithm, Tmall Xiaomi Intelligent Customer Service Algorithm, iFLYTEK Voice Recognition Algorithm, etc. Nandu reporters combed and found that there are 41 algorithms in the list, from 26 companies such as Baidu, Douyin, Ali, and Tencent.
In response to the algorithm filing information released this time, there is speculation in the industry that it is a loosening of the generative artificial intelligence approval policy. On April 11 this year, the official website of the Cyberspace Administration of China announced that in order to promote the healthy development and standardized application of generative artificial intelligence technology, in accordance with the Cybersecurity Law of the People's Republic of China and other laws and regulations, the Cyberspace Administration of China drafted the Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services (Draft for Comments) (hereinafter referred to as the Draft for Comments).
Generative artificial intelligence refers to the technology of generating text, pictures, sounds, videos, codes and other content based on algorithms, models, and rules. The Draft requires that before using generative AI products to provide services to the public, a security assessment shall be reported to the state internet information department in accordance with the Provisions on Security Assessment of Internet Information Services with Public Opinion Attributes or Social Mobilization Capabilities, and the procedures for algorithm filing, modification, and cancellation shall be performed in accordance with the Provisions on the Administration of Internet Information Service Algorithm Recommendations.
Is the ICP filing information of the deep synthesis algorithm announced on June 20 equivalent to the approval of generative artificial intelligence? Does a company on the list mean qualified to release generative AI products? In this regard, a number of industry experts pointed out to Nandu reporters that the algorithm filing list is a routine operation carried out in accordance with the "Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services", and is not directly related to the approval of generative artificial intelligence.
Hong Yanqing, a professor at the Law School of Beijing Institute of Technology and a member of the International Law Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pointed out to Nandu reporters that the "Announcement on Releasing Algorithm Filing Information for Deep Synthesis Services" issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China on June 20 made it clear at the beginning that the basis for this algorithm filing is Article 19 of the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services, and the object of the filing is "deep synthesis service algorithms". Although Article 6 of the Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services (Draft for Comments) also requires generative AI products to perform the filing procedures for algorithms, modifications, and cancellations, in addition to filing, it also requires "reporting security assessments to the national internet information department in accordance with the Provisions on Security Assessment of Internet Information Services with Public Opinion Attributes or Social Mobilization Capabilities", and also needs to meet other requirements of the Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services (Draft for Comments).
"Before generative AI products can provide services to the public in mainland China, in addition to filing, they must at least complete the security assessment stipulated in the Provisions on Security Assessment of Internet Information Services with Public Opinion Attributes or Social Mobilization Capabilities, otherwise they cannot be launched. On the whole, the June 20 'Announcement on the Release of Deep Synthesis Service Algorithm Filing Information' is not a sign that the "Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services" has begun to be implemented. Hong Yanqing said.
Nandu reporters inquired about public information and learned that the "Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services" came into force on January 10, 2023. According to the "Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services," Article 19, deep synthesis service providers with public opinion attributes or social mobilization capabilities shall perform filing formalities for filing, modification, and cancellation in accordance with the "Provisions on the Administration of Internet Information Service Algorithm Recommendations." Technical support for deep synthesis services shall refer to the provisions of the preceding paragraph to perform filing and modification and cancellation filing formalities. Deep synthesis service providers and technical supporters who have completed filing shall indicate their filing number in a conspicuous position on their websites, applications, etc. that provide services to the outside world, and provide links to public information.
"According to the Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet Information Services, deep synthesis service providers with public opinion attributes or social mobilization capabilities shall perform filing and modification and cancellation filing formalities in accordance with the Provisions on the Administration of Internet Information Service Algorithm Recommendations. Technical support for deep synthesis services shall refer to the performance of filing and modification and cancellation filing procedures. In other words, Internet platforms involving 'deep synthesis service algorithms' all need to be recorded, which is a routine regulatory review and filing action. Lian Liang, director of the Digital Economy and Law Innovation Research Center of the University of International Business and Economics, said that the algorithm filing information released on June 20 does not mean that the "Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services" has begun to be implemented, and before generative AI products provide services to the public in the mainland, in addition to filing, they must at least complete the security assessment stipulated in the "Provisions on Security Assessment of Internet Information Services with Public Opinion Attributes or Social Mobilization Capabilities", otherwise they cannot be online.
Liu Xingliang, a well-known digital economist, also wrote that algorithm filing and security assessment work are two different things, filing is a routine action, that is, the service uses a deep synthetic algorithm, which also includes artificial intelligence generative algorithms, but has passed the filing does not mean that external API services can be provided, "filing and online security assessment are two different things, filing does not mean that this product function It must meet the requirements." Even if some enterprises complete the so-called API algorithm filing, it does not mean that they can now provide API services to the outside world, such as filing ICP certificates, and filing does not mean that the services provided by ICP filing are securely online. ”
Written by: Nandu reporter Ma Ningning