The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has recently released a notice to formally initiate the Pilot Program for Ethical Review and Service in Artificial Intelligence Technology. This program leverages the provinces that host national pilot zones for the innovative application of the AI industry, aiming to pioneer the exploration of implementation pathways for ethical review and service in AI technology. By establishing a collaborative and efficient governance mechanism that involves multiple stakeholders, the program supports the responsible innovation and high-quality industrial development of AI.

The program delineates specific operational pathways for local government departments and various innovation entities. It sets forth a series of key tasks, including refining norms for the review system, enhancing collaborative governance mechanisms, establishing ethics committees and review and service centers, conducting review practices and expert evaluations, promoting the development and validation of standards, and constructing a three-tier agile governance network involving the ministry, provinces, and cities.

Through these measures, the program seeks to establish a group of professional institutions and talent teams, develop and validate a comprehensive set of standards, build a case library for ethical risks associated with AI technology, develop a range of technical tools and methods, and select a number of exemplary demonstration applications. Ultimately, these efforts will solidify the foundation for ethical governance in the realm of AI.