The following is a draft Chinese government framework for a system of standards for AI. Its authors invited feedback and comments on the draft from the public from January 17 to 31, 2024.

An archived version of the Chinese source text is available online at:    https://perma.cc/3YUQ-ZZPX

Guidelines for the Construction of a Comprehensive Standardization System for the National Artificial Intelligence Industry
(Draft for Feedback)

These Guidelines for the Construction of a Comprehensive Standardization System for the National Artificial Intelligence Industry were drafted in order to thoroughly implement the deployment requirements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council on accelerating the development of artificial intelligence (AI), to thoroughly implement the National Standardization Development Outline¹ and the Global AI Governance Initiative,² to further strengthen the planning of AI standardization work systems, to accelerate the construction of a standards system that meets the needs of high-quality development in the AI industry, and to make better use of the supporting role of standards in advancing technological progress, promoting enterprise development, leading industrial upgrading, and ensuring industrial security.

Industry Development Status

AI is a basic and strategic technology that is leading a new round of scientific and technological (S&T) revolution and industrial transformation. Its deep integration with the real economy is accelerating, and it is profoundly changing industrial production models and economic development formats. It will play an important supporting role in empowering new-style industrialization (新型工业化) and accelerating the construction of China into a manufacturing powerhouse, the construction of China into a cyber powerhouse,³ and the construction of a Digital China. The AI production chain includes four parts: the basic layer, framework layer, model layer, and application layer. The basic layer mainly includes computing power (“compute”), algorithms, and data; the framework layer mainly refers to the deep learning frameworks and tools used for model development; the model layer mainly refers to technologies and products such as large models; and the application layer mainly refers to the applications of AI technology in industry scenarios. In recent years, China’s AI industry has achieved rapid development in technological innovation, product creation, and industry applications, forming a market with a massive scale. With the accelerated iteration of new technologies as represented by large models, the AI industry has presented new features such as collective breakthroughs (群体突破) in innovative technology, integrated development of industry applications, and deep collaboration through international cooperation. There is an urgent need to improve the system of standards for the AI industry.

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1. Translator’s note: An English translation of the Chinese National Standardization Development Outline is available online at: https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/the-chinese-communist-party-central-committee-and-the-state-council-publish-the-national-standardization-development-outline/.
2. Translator’s note: An English translation of the Chinese Global AI Governance Initiative is available online at: https://perma.cc/F4N3-UGG6.
3. Translator’s note: This translation renders the Chinese word 强国 qiángguó—which literally means “strong nation”—in English as “powerhouse,” as in the phrases “manufacturing powerhouse” (制造强国) and “cyber powerhouse” (网络强国). For a more thorough discussion in English of the Chinese word qiángguó, see: https://www.newamerica.org/cybersecurity-initiative/digichina/blog/lexicon-wangluo-qiangguo/.