China Makes First Arrest Over ChatGPT Use, Accuses Suspect of Manufacturing Fake Reports
Chinese authorities have arrested a citizen, identified as Han Hong Moumou, for using ChatGPT to create fake reports of a train crash that did not occur. This marks the first-ever public arrest related to ChatGPT. Han, who is from the southern city of Shenzhen, was arrested on Friday and charged with "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The incident came to light when reports of a supposed train crash that killed nine people in the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu began appearing online on April 15. Cyber police were able to trace the posts back to Han's social media company and began investigating the matter.
The arrest comes just weeks after the Cyberspace Administration of China proposed new rules that would make it mandatory for bots like ChatGPT to comply with the country's censorship regime. The proposal also requires developers to register their AI's algorithm with the government and ensure that their bots respect intellectual property and do not provide any information that undermines "state power" or national unity.
China's aggressive approach towards AI regulation aims to prevent the use of the technology for spreading fake news and propaganda. However, experts warn that such regulations could allow China to dominate in the race for artificial intelligence.
The United States has sought to hamper China's ability to develop effective AI by banning the sale of AI accelerator chips to Chinese companies. These chips are a crucial component in developing bots like ChatGPT and even more advanced ones.
As governments across the globe grapple with regulating emerging AI systems, the European Union has already proposed an Artificial Intelligence Act to regulate such systems. However, lawmakers in the US have yet to introduce any major legislation.
