China unveils first AI application risk insurance scheme

The 2026 Financial Street Forum annual conference recently concluded, and during it the first comprehensive insurance scheme covering AI application risks in the country was officially launched. According to a report by Eastmoney, this is the first such comprehensive scheme in China, with insurance products covering two categories of losses: damages caused by AI services to third parties, and the AI provider's own expense losses. This fills a gap in China's AI insurance market. IT Home, citing CCTV Finance, confirmed the launch and added more detail: the insurance is offered by insurers that assess the AI application scenario, the types of generated content, and the daily data processing volume when setting premiums, rather than offering blanket coverage.

Before the scheme was announced, the Supreme People's Court issued in September 2026 its Opinions on Handling AI-Related Dispute Cases in Accordance with the Law, setting out a key rule: generative AI infringement generally follows a fault-based liability standard, and the defense that content was AI-generated cannot be used to avoid liability. In other words, the party at fault bears responsibility, and service providers that merely supply model capabilities but fail to exercise due care may also be held liable. This judicial rule defined liability boundaries for AI applications and motivated companies to buy insurance against related risks.

A Shenzhen company has already taken out a policy. Eastmoney reported that Shenzhen Binglan Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. developed an AI voice employee product now deployed in telecom operators, banks, and automotive companies, where it conducts real-time voice conversations, handles customer outreach, and performs after-sales follow-up calls. Bai Jingnan, the company's senior operations manager, said the main risks are authorization for voice and content use, and the accuracy and compliance of generated content. To address these risks, the company has insured its AI voice employees with an AI-related insurance product. No public reports have yet emerged on whether the scheme is being rolled out to other companies.