(PHOTO: VCG)

By ZHONG Jianli

Local legislators in Shanghai have passed municipal regulations to further promote development of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.

Taking effect on October 1, the Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Promoting the Development of Artificial Intelligence Industry aims to boost open source sharing and advance sustainable innovation of the AI industry, one of the three pioneering industries that Shanghai hopes to develop.

The regulations make it clear that Shanghai will set up an AI strategic advisory committee, whose members will be composed of experts from universities, scientific research institutions, enterprises and other organizations, to provide advice on major strategies and decisions in AI industrial development. An experts' committee on AI ethics will also be established.

To promote the trading of AI algorithmic models, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economic and Information aims to guide relevant industry organizations in formulating a recommendation catalog of AI algorithm models, so as to reduce the risk and improve the efficiency of algorithmic model trading, according to the regulations.

Another highlight of the regulations is that a systematic governance framework to maintain AI industry development and security will be created.

Considering the rapid evolvement of the AI industry, relevant departments need to formulate, modify, or abolish corresponding regulations and standards, to stimulate creativity of various kinds of innovators. Different governance rules also need to be applied to high- and low-risk AI products and services respectively.

Meanwhile, the municipality will cooperate with other provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Delta region to build a computing hub for the country's national integrated big data network.

In addition, the regulations specify that the development and application of AI technologies should take into account the needs of the elderly, the disabled, women, minors and other groups. When providing AI-powered public services, it is necessary to set up alternatives for these particular groups.