CN Anthropomorphic AI Measures
Provisional Measures on the Administration of Human-like Interactive Artificial Intelligence Services (人工智能拟人化互动服务管理暂行办法)
Comprehensive Chinese regulation governing anthropomorphic and emotionally interactive AI services (companion chatbots, virtual companions), with mandatory crisis intervention for self-harm/suicide indications, dedicated minor and elderly protection modes, restrictions on emotional dependency framing, and security assessments at defined user-scale thresholds.
Jurisdiction
China
Enacted
Apr 10, 2026
Effective
Jul 15, 2026
Enforcement
Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and provincial cyberspace administrations; coordinated review by other regulatory agencies
Promulgated by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on April 10, 2026. Takes effect July 15, 2026.
CAC Official Notice (April 10, 2026)Why It Matters
Establishes one of the most detailed national regulatory frameworks for anthropomorphic and companion AI services, with explicit crisis-intervention requirements that closely parallel emerging US state laws. The 1M registered / 100K MAU threshold provides a clear operational trigger for enhanced compliance, and the dedicated minor/elderly modes set a template that other jurisdictions are likely to reference.
Recent Developments
Promulgated by the Cyberspace Administration of China on April 10, 2026 with effective date July 15, 2026. The measures formalize and significantly extend obligations set out in the 2023 Generative AI Services Measures by adding anthropomorphism-specific duties, scale-based assessment thresholds (1M registered / 100K MAU), explicit minor and elderly protection modes, and crisis-intervention requirements for self-harm/suicide expressions. Among the most comprehensive companion-AI regulatory regimes globally, with structural overlap with California SB 243, Maryland HB 952, and similar US state companion-AI laws.
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Who Must Comply
- Providers of interactive AI services in China that simulate human persona, emotion, or relationship roles
- AI companions, character chatbots, virtual friends, virtual romantic partners
- Any anthropomorphic AI service launched, materially modified, or operated within China
Obligations fall on:
Applicability thresholds:
Safety Provisions
- Mandatory detection of user expressions indicating self-harm or suicidal intent, with required handoff to a human operator and emergency response procedures
- Prominent and persistent disclosure that users are interacting with AI, not a human
- Prohibition on services framing relationships as romantic or familial in ways that foster emotional dependency
- Dedicated minor mode with parental controls and age-appropriate content filtering
- Dedicated elderly mode with simplified interaction and protections against fraud or manipulation
- Restrictions on use of synthetic (AI-generated) data for model training without additional safety assessments
- Algorithm filing under Provisions on the Management of Algorithmic Recommendations in Internet Information Services
- Annual algorithmic compliance review by relevant departments
- User rights to copy or delete chat histories and interaction data; sensitive interaction data requires separate consent for training use
Compliance & Enforcement
Key Dates
Jul 15, 2026
Effective date; all human-like interactive AI services operating in China must comply
Penalties
Warnings and reprimands; orders to rectify within a specified period; suspension of services for non-compliance or serious violations; fines of RMB 10,000-100,000 for violations, increased to RMB 100,000-200,000 where violations cause harm to citizen life, health, or safety.
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China
Focus Areas
Cite This
APA
China. (2026). Provisional Measures on the Administration of Human-like Interactive Artificial Intelligence Services (人工智能拟人化互动服务管理暂行办法).
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Last updated May 10, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.