Chinese Regulators Authorize 14 Large Language Models for Public Access
Updated January 29th, 2024 at 09:50 IST
Chinese regulators have recently authorized a total of 14 large language models (LLMs) for public access, marking the fourth wave of approvals in the country. This move comes as part of China’s efforts to foster artificial intelligence (AI) technology while maintaining regulatory oversight and control.
According to the state-backed Securities Times, the authorized LLMs will be made available for public use, with prominent entities like Xiaomi Corp, 4Paradigm, and 01.AI among the recipients. This development follows the requirement for tech firms to obtain regulatory approval to deploy their LLMs for public use that was initiated by Beijing in August.
The initial batch of AI models received approval shortly after the adoption of the approval process in August, with companies like Baidu, Alibaba, and ByteDance among the first recipients. Subsequently, Chinese regulators granted two more rounds of approvals in November and December, followed by the latest batch this month.
While the government has not publicly disclosed the comprehensive list of approved companies, Securities Times indicated that over 40 AI models have received approval within the first half-year since the commencement of governmental oversight in AI development.
Chinese companies have accelerated their efforts in AI product development, particularly since the global success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022. At that time, China accounted for 130 LLMs, representing 40 per cent of the global total, trailing closely behind the United States’ 50 per cent share, as per brokerage CLSA.
Opinion: The authorization of 14 large language models for public access in China signifies the country’s commitment to advancing AI technology while ensuring regulatory control. This approach not only supports the development of innovative AI products but also addresses concerns related to ethical and responsible AI usage. As China continues to expand its presence in the global AI landscape, it is crucial for the country to strike a balance between promoting technological innovation and implementing effective regulatory measures to safeguard against potential risks.