A legal worker explained the part of the supreme court's work report regarding the drafting of judicial rules on artificial intelligence (AI) and data-related rights, saying this will set clear legal guardrails for the application of emerging technologies.

In its report submitted to the ongoing 4th annual session of the 14th National People's Congress, the Supreme People's Court said it is currently drafting relevant judicial policies to clarify the rules of validation for the originality of AI-generated content and the legal nature of data training activities which have aroused widespread disputes concerning whether AI-generated content constitutes an original mental product with a copyright and whether training large models using others' works constitutes infringement.

"Whether it is reasonable and rational to use others' works in AI data training, and how AI service providers should bear liability are not only highly controversial in the legal community but also have a considerable impact on the development of the AI industry. Intellectual property rights are a protective shield for innovation entities and a regulatory valve concerning public welfare. It is essential to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders, including innovators, competitors, consumers, and the public," said Li Jian, chief judge of the Supreme People's Court's Third Civil Division.

The highest trial organ emphasized that in the field of AI, courts must ensure a balanced approach that coordinates development and interests.

"The Supreme People's Court adheres to the principle of attaching equal importance to development and security, and seeks to promote the combination of innovation and law-based governance. It is currently studying and drafting relevant guiding documents to help promote the healthy and orderly development of the AI industry," Li said.

Chinese courts at all levels properly handled 908 disputes involving data ownership and transactions in 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 25.6 percent, according to the work report of the Supreme People's Court submitted to the NPC annual session for deliberation on Monday.

The Supreme People's Court said that the foundational framework for a data property rights protection system has largely taken shape. But as data protection involves all aspects of economic and social life, efforts must be strengthened collaboratively across multiple dimensions, including legislation, regulation, judiciary, and dispute resolution.

Rights of data sources providers must be fully protected in accordance with laws and regulations such as the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law, especially privacy, personal information and other sensitive data.

Furthermore, data transaction activities need to be well-regulated in terms of pricing, transaction methods, and transaction rules to foster a fair competition environment for data trading.