China will introduce strengthened ethical scrutiny for artificial intelligence–related patents beginning next year, aiming to ensure that rapidly advancing AI technologies align with the country’s legal requirements, social morality, and public interests, according to en.people.cn (Xinhua).

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced that a newly revised set of patent review guidelines—set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026—will include, for the first time, an entire section dedicated to AI and big data. Jiang Tong, a senior CNIPA official, said the expanded guidelines reflect the growing complexity and societal impact of AI systems and the need for more rigorous oversight during patent evaluation.

Under the new framework, any technical solution involving AI—such as data collection methods, model-training processes, rule-setting mechanisms, or algorithmic decision-making—must pass an ethical examination to ensure compliance with national laws and social standards. Patent applicants will be required to demonstrate that their inventions do not pose unacceptable risks and are developed in ways that protect the public interest.

The revised guidelines also tighten requirements around disclosure, addressing a long-standing challenge in AI patent filings: the “black-box” nature of many machine-learning models. The rules clarify how applicants must describe model construction, training data, and operational mechanisms to meet adequate-disclosure standards. This is intended to prevent patents from being granted on vaguely defined AI systems that cannot be meaningfully evaluated.

At the same press conference, CNIPA official Liang Xinxin said China’s intellectual-property strategy for the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) will continue expanding global cooperation while emphasizing equal protection for domestic and foreign companies operating in the country. The plan aims to improve China’s business environment, strengthen the country’s role in international innovation networks, and promote the smooth circulation of goods and technologies between domestic and global markets.

The updated guidelines signal China’s intent to place stronger regulatory guardrails around AI development—balancing technological momentum with growing concerns about ethics, transparency, and safety.

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