The global surge in generative artificial intelligence (AI) development has prompted governments, including the U.S., U.K., China, and the G7, to expedite regulations for AI technology. The European Union (EU) has taken the lead with the EU AI Act, recognized as the world's first comprehensive set of rules for AI. Negotiators reached an agreement on Dec. 7 to control generative AI tools, addressing concerns about potential misuse. The EU's proactive approach has influenced other countries to intensify their efforts in AI regulation, with initiatives such as Australia's consultation and China's security assessments.


The global surge in generative artificial intelligence (AI) development has spurred governments worldwide to expedite regulations for the emerging technology. The European Union (EU) has taken the lead with the EU AI Act, recognized as the world's first comprehensive set of rules for AI. Negotiators reached an agreement on Dec. 7 to control generative AI tools, addressing concerns about potential misuse. The EU's proactive approach has influenced other countries to intensify their efforts in AI regulation, with initiatives such as Australia's consultation and China's security assessments.

Key Developments in Global AI Regulation:

  • EU AI Act Agreement: Negotiators reached an agreement on Dec. 7 to regulate generative AI tools under the EU AI Act. The act is considered innovative and comprehensive, addressing concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology. The EU's proactive stance has set the pace for global AI regulation.

  • Global AI Guidelines: The U.S., the U.K., Australia, and 15 other countries released global guidelines to protect AI models from tampering. The guidelines emphasize the importance of making AI models "secure by design" and aim to enhance the security and integrity of AI systems.

  • Australia AI Consultation: The Australian government initiated an eight-week consultation seeking feedback on whether "high-risk" AI tools should be banned. The consultation explored strategies to promote the safe and responsible use of AI, including ethical frameworks and regulatory measures.

  • China AI Regulations: China implemented regulations overseeing the generative AI industry, requiring service providers to undergo security assessments before introducing AI products to the mass market. Chinese technology companies, including Baidu and SenseTime, unveiled AI chatbots after obtaining government approvals.

  • Investigation of ChatGPT: Italy temporarily banned OpenAI's ChatGPT over suspected privacy rule breaches, leading to an investigation by France's privacy watchdog, CNIL. The Italian Data Protection Authority launched a fact-finding investigation examining data-gathering processes for AI algorithm training.

As concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology grow, governments globally are taking proactive measures to regulate AI development and deployment. The EU's landmark AI Act, coupled with initiatives in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and China, reflects the urgency to address ethical, privacy, and security considerations in the evolving AI landscape. The collaborative release of global guidelines signals a collective effort to enhance the security and integrity of AI models on a global scale.

(AMAKA NWAOKOCHA, COINTELEGRAPH, 2023)