PUTRAJAYA is looking into the possibility of regulating artificial intelligence (AI) apps in Malaysia, including labelling material produced by such apps as “AI-generated” or “AI-assisted”.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said the ministry is considering leading the drafting of a bill, which would involve consultations with technology experts, legal professionals, stakeholders, and the public to ensure it is robust and relevant.

“It is a strategic move considering the global trend towards stronger regulations around AI usage,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.

With the widespread use of AI, Chang said it would be essential to label any material produced by generative AI as “AI-generated” or “AI-assisted”. 

He said this is to ensure transparency and enable informed consumption.

“We should actively explore and advocate for policy measures that require content produced entirely or in part by AI, to be clearly identified,” he said. 

“Additionally, adopting global standards for AI transparency and pushing for relevant certification can bolster these transparency efforts.

“These standards might include guidelines on how to label AI-produced content and how to provide easy-to-understand explanations about the workings of AI systems,” Chang added.

In March, the World Economic Forum reported that the European Union was working on a legal framework for regulating the use of AI, chiefly focusing on galvanising rules on data transparency, quality, accountability and human oversight.

Dubbed the “AI Act”, the legislation is also designed to resolve “ethical questions and implementation challenges” in various industries, including education, finance, and healthcare.

On the possible abuse of AI in elections through libellous content or misinformation, Chang said this is why there is a need for clear regulations.

“It is crucial to have strong legal frameworks and ethical guidelines for AI use.

“This could include laws that mandate transparency about the source of information, and severe penalties for those who use AI tools to spread false information.

“We also need to work with relevant ministries, social media companies and other platforms where misinformation is often spread, pushing them to increase their efforts to identify and remove such content,” he said.

Chang said the public would need to be taught to recognise AI-generated content to help them make informed opinions and choices. – July 23, 2023.