Photo/Illutration Cabinet ministers meet on Feb. 28 to approve a bill introducing tougher regulations on artificial intelligence. (Takeshi Iwashita)

To curtail harmful applications of artificial intelligence that may violate human rights, spread misinformation or break laws, the government has proposed greater oversight for the rapidly evolving technology.

The Cabinet approved a bill on Feb. 28 that would grant the government the authority to investigate AI developers in cases of serious incidents that infringe upon the rights and interests of citizens.

At the same time, the bill also promotes the research, development and application of AI to maximize the benefits the technology could bring to society.

The government aims to get the bill passed during the current Diet session.

Under the proposal, the government would be authorized to require AI developers to disclose their safety measures, regardless of whether incidents have occurred.

Businesses would be expected to cooperate with the authorities. However, companies would face no penalties for violations, aside from being publicly named and shamed for cases of severe noncompliance.

The bill also includes new policies to foster AI development and utilization, which would be implemented by a task force of Cabinet members.

The move is part of a wider global shift toward regulating AI to mitigate potentially serious negative effects on society.

Previously, Japan relied on self-regulation by businesses according to government guidelines.

However, in response to growing international pressure, the government changed its approach and began to discuss more comprehensive AI regulations last summer.

The bill was introduced unusually quickly, in just over six months.

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