Taipei, July 16 – The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), under Taiwan’s Cabinet, has introduced a draft proposal for an artificial intelligence (AI) law aimed at managing the use and reliability of AI technologies and addressing associated risks.
The proposed legislation outlines a framework that mandates the government to establish responsibilities for AI applications, including labeling, disclosure, and accountability mechanisms, aimed at enhancing the credibility of these applications.
Notably, the norms outlined in the proposal regarding responsibilities for AI applications would not encompass activities during the developmental and research stages of AI technologies, prior to their deployment for commercial use, to foster technological innovation.
Furthermore, the draft law calls for additional regulations concerning the use of AI applications, AI accountability, and its application in sectors like insurance.
Described as Taiwan’s initial step towards establishing a legal framework for regulating AI applications, the draft legislation comprises 18 articles. It will undergo a 60-day public consultation period until September 13, following which the NSTC will review feedback and submit a finalized version to the Cabinet for approval by the end of October.
Under the proposal, risk mitigation is a central theme, with provisions advocating for clear rules to minimize risks associated with AI applications, drawing parallels with frameworks such as the AI Risk Management Framework developed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. These frameworks would mandate AI security standards, verification mechanisms, and accountability frameworks.
Additionally, the draft proposal emphasizes the role of personal data protection authorities in assisting regulators to prevent unnecessary collection, processing, or use of personal data during AI research, development, and application phases.
The legislation also mandates governmental oversight to develop tools or methodologies aimed at preventing misuse of AI systems that could pose risks to society, including threats to life, physical integrity, personal freedom, property, social order, and the environment. It also aims to address issues of conflict of interest, discrimination, bias, false advertising, and dissemination of misleading or false information, all of which would contravene existing laws and regulations.
In addressing concerns about the impact of AI on employment, the draft act proposes guidelines to support workers adversely affected by AI technologies, acknowledging estimates suggesting that AI adoption could potentially lead to a reduction in employment for about 30 percent of Taiwan’s workforce.
The introduction of this AI legislation underscores Taiwan’s commitment to balancing technological advancement with regulatory oversight, aimed at fostering innovation while safeguarding societal interests and individual rights.