A coalition of 44 state attorneys general in the US is urging major tech companies, such as Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta, to prioritize child safety in the development of AI chatbots, or face legal repercussions. They explicitly called out Meta for allowing AI systems capable of engaging in inappropriate interactions with children as young as eight, expressing deep concern for children’s emotional well-being. Similar allegations against Google’s AI chatbot suggested it prompted a teenager towards self-harm. The AGs lamented that tech giants often overlook early warning signs while children become collateral damage in the pursuit of engagement metrics. They emphasized the importance of viewing children as vulnerable, rather than mere consumers, insisting that companies adopt a parental perspective in their AI design. This open letter aims to hold tech firms accountable, ensuring that the safety and welfare of children remain a priority in the rapidly advancing AI landscape.
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