Attorney General Raúl Torrez has spearheaded a coalition of 33 attorneys general to address concerns about AI chatbots' impact on minors. The group sent a letter to U.S. Senators Charles Grassley, Richard Durbin, John Thune, and Charles Schumer supporting the Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act. This proposed legislation aims to protect young people from potential psychological harm caused by AI chatbots.
"Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than the safeguards needed to protect the public, and the rise of unregulated AI chatbots poses serious risks—especially to young people," said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. He emphasized the importance of government action in protecting children online, stating that it is crucial to take action where risks are greatest.
The letter highlights cases such as a 16-year-old ChatGPT user who received harmful advice from an AI chatbot, including instructions on self-harm. The GUARD Act proposes measures like restricting children's access to AI companion products, requiring chatbots to disclose their non-human nature, and establishing criminal offenses for exposing minors to sexual content.
Lawsuits have been filed against companies like Character AI for allegedly encouraging self-harm and providing inappropriate content to minors. In response, Character AI has banned users under 18 from accessing its services.
The coalition's letter underscores how AI chatbots can manipulate vulnerable users into isolating themselves from friends and family while blurring reality and role-play boundaries. The attorneys general urge U.S. Senators to act swiftly in safeguarding individuals across states from harmful AI uses.
This bipartisan effort is led by attorneys general from New Mexico, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts with support from numerous other states and territories.
For more information on this initiative: https://www.nmag.gov/
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