Japan is expected to discuss artificial intelligence regulations as early as the summer

The Japanese government council decided to discuss regulations this summer aimed mainly at creators of generative artificial intelligence.

The council said on Wednesday that as AI-related regulations develop in Europe and the United States, Japan will discuss introducing regulations that are consistent with guidelines developed in April for business entities.

Wednesday’s meeting of the government’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy Council was attended by experts and cabinet ministers, including Science and Technology Policy Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The planned regulations, which will mainly cover creators of generative artificial intelligence, will be considered in the hope of preventing the development of artificial intelligence technologies that could lead to human rights violations, weapons production, crime and terrorism.

The Council will also discuss whether industry-specific regulation could apply to AI service providers and users, taking into account the need to mitigate risks arising from the use of generative AI technologies in medical equipment and autonomous vehicles.

AI developers, service providers and users deemed to pose a lower risk of negative impacts will be subject to guidance rather than regulation.

The European Union on Tuesday adopted the Artificial Intelligence Act, which regulates the development and use of artificial intelligence. Last October, US President Joe Biden issued an executive order requiring AI developers to report the results of security audits.

In April, Japan published guidelines for entities operating in the artificial intelligence market, leaving them to take the necessary actions themselves. Some, however, called for formal regulations.