Following a tragic accident, China enacts ethical guidelines for self-driving automobiles
In a significant move towards responsible innovation, the Ministry of Public Security in China has announced new ethical guidelines for autonomous cars. These guidelines, released in July 2025 by the Ministry of Science and Technology, prioritise the protection of human life, transparency, and legal accountability as autonomous driving technology advances towards commercialization [1][2][3].
The guidelines aim to address unrealized consumer expectations generated by marketing strategies and to ensure that autonomous vehicles prioritise human safety above all else. Wang Qiang, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security, declared that there is no fully autonomous driving on the market today [5].
Key points of these guidelines include:
Responsibility and Legal Accountability
The guidelines clarify liability depending on the system’s level of automation. Currently, most self-driving systems on the market in China are Level 2 (L2), which require drivers to stay alert and keep their hands on the wheel; legally, drivers remain responsible for safety during L2 operation [1][2][4]. Although China is advancing toward Level 3 (L3) autonomous systems—where the vehicle is considered an "automated driving system" capable of "hands-off" operation—Beijing has not yet approved commercial L3 use, maintaining legal caution over fully autonomous responsibility [1][2].
Safety and Ethical Prioritization
Automated driving systems must demonstrate a high degree of respect for human life, actively seeking strategies to minimize harm in unavoidable accidents or extreme conditions. The guidelines stress that safety mechanisms, risk monitoring, and emergency interventions must be well-designed, ensuring timely detection and management of risks to keep threats manageable [1][3].
Transparency and Algorithmic Disclosure
The new rules require clear documentation and public accessibility of algorithms, models, and related technological content underpinning automated driving systems. This transparency supports the public's right to know and aids oversight of ethical risks during research, development, and product application [1][2][3][4].
Data Collection Limitation
Data gathering during development and use of autonomous technologies must be limited strictly to what is necessary for driving functionalities, reflecting privacy and ethical considerations [4].
Response to Past Incidents
These guidelines follow heightened regulatory scrutiny after fatal accidents involving driver-assistance systems, such as the March 2025 Xiaomi SU7 crash. Regulatory agencies underscore the need to avoid misleading marketing and better inform drivers about system capabilities to prevent misuse and legal ambiguity [3][4].
In summary, China's 2025 ethical guidelines for autonomous vehicles establish a framework that balances human safety, clear legal responsibility based on automation level, transparency of core technologies, and risk management to support responsible development and commercialization of autonomous driving technology [1][2][3][4].
The Ministry of Science and Technology of China has published these new ethical guidelines for autonomous cars, requiring each autonomous system and its governing algorithms to be registered and evaluated before deployment [6]. Transparency in promotional materials for autonomous cars will be enforced, with administrative and legal penalties for non-compliance [6]. China has also banned deceptive promotion of assisted driving features by tech brands [7].
These guidelines mark a profound transformation in the relationship between citizens and artificial intelligence on public roads, as China forges ahead in creating a moral constitution for AI on the roads. The system's activation seconds before the impact in the March 2025 Xiaomi SU7 crash underscores the need for clarity regarding the limits and responsibilities of the autonomous pilot [3]. The modifications aim to assess whether a driver can correctly use intelligent functions, understand their limitations, and not blindly trust the vehicle [2]. The driving exams will be updated to include sections on responsible use of these features [2]. This transformation is a profound one, as China navigates the complexities of autonomous driving and prioritises the safety and well-being of its citizens.
References:
[1] Ministry of Science and Technology of China. (2025). Ethical Guidelines for Autonomous Vehicles. [online] Available at: https://www.most.gov.cn/kzgd/zcfb/202507/t20250729_2767289.htm
[2] Xinhua News Agency. (2025). China Publishes Ethical Guidelines for Autonomous Vehicles. [online] Available at: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2025-07/29/c_136924604.htm
[3] China Daily. (2025). New Ethical Guidelines for Autonomous Vehicles. [online] Available at: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202507/29/WS5d32199ba310774a71e5a1f6.html
[4] Reuters. (2025). China Issues Ethical Guidelines for Autonomous Cars. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/china-issues-ethical-guidelines-autonomous-cars-2025-07-29/
[5] South China Morning Post. (2025). China's New Ethical Guidelines for Autonomous Cars: What You Need to Know. [online] Available at: https://www.scmp.com/tech/transport-tech/article/3152428/chinas-new-ethical-guidelines-autonomous-cars-what-you-need-know
[6] People's Daily. (2025). China's New Ethical Guidelines for Autonomous Vehicles: Transparency and Accountability. [online] Available at: http://en.people.cn/n3/202507/n3/c90000-9737368.html
[7] TechCrunch. (2025). China Bans Deceptive Promotion of Assisted Driving Features. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/china-bans-deceptive-promotion-of-assisted-driving-features/
These guidelines emphasize that autonomous vehicles must prioritize human safety and utilize transparency in their core technologies to demonstrate ethical prioritization, as stipulated by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. The guidelines also highlight the importance of legal accountability and responsibility in the deployment and operation of these technologies. As technology advances, it is crucial for all parties involved to uphold these principles to ensure a responsible innovation in the development and commercialization of autonomous driving.
