Japan weighs regulating AI developers, following U.S. and EU
- Japan is considering regulating both domestic and international large AI developers to mitigate societal risks like misinformation, following examples set by the US and EU.
- Previously, Japan relied on self-regulation by companies based on government guidelines to foster AI growth but is now contemplating a legal framework, with discussions slated to begin in May by the government’s AI strategy council.
- While recognizing the potential benefits of generative AI, concerns persist regarding its potential misuse, prompting discussions on the need for laws and regulations tailored to AI development, drawing insights from US and European regulatory approaches.
- The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) proposed plans targeting large-scale AI developers like OpenAI, emphasizing third-party safety verification and government oversight, including regular compliance reporting and the imposition of fines for violations.
- Contentious points include defining “large scale,” extending regulation beyond such companies, and striking a balance between regulation and competitiveness, with some details left to the private sector.
