Chinese tech giants Huawei and Alibaba, along with other major Chinese tech brands, have applied to China’s Cyberspace Administration (CAC) for approvals related to deepfake technology. The CAC introduced rules in December 2022 governing the use of deepfake technology, and these companies are seeking approval to ensure compliance with these regulations.
What Are Deepfakes?
Deepfakes are synthetic media created using artificial intelligence (AI) to produce convincing hoaxes, including fake images, audio, or videos. This technology employs deep learning, an advanced form of machine learning, with a specific neural network structure known as an autoencoder. Autoencoders consist of an encoder and a decoder, where the encoder compresses the original content, and the decoder attempts to reconstruct the original from the compressed version.
Reasons for Seeking Approvals
Compliance with Regulations: The primary reason for seeking CAC approvals is to comply with the regulations set by the Cyberspace Administration of China. These regulations require companies to obtain approval before using deepfake technology and mandate the clear marking of deepfake content. Failure to comply can result in fines and penalties.
Avoiding Investigations: Without the CAC’s approval, these companies may face serious investigations that could lead to bans or significant penalties. Seeking prior approval helps them avoid potential legal consequences.
Technology Development: Chinese tech firms like Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, and ByteDance are interested in advancing their deepfake technology for various applications, including entertainment, advertising, and education. Approval ensures that their innovations can be brought to the market.
By seeking approval from the CAC, these tech giants aim to navigate the regulatory landscape, ensure compliance, and continue developing and using deepfake technology in a manner that aligns with Chinese regulations.
