A new bipartisan bill aims to restrict minors under 18 from using AI companion chatbots. Lawmakers believe that these advanced AI systems could pose risks to children and teenagers, especially as AI chatbots become smarter and more emotionally engaging. The proposed legislation would require AI companies to implement strict age verification measures and would penalize those who fail to comply.
Protecting Kids in the Age of AI
The bill addresses growing concerns about the influence of AI companions on young minds. As these chatbots can mimic real conversations and potentially form emotional bonds with users, lawmakers want to ensure that children are protected from potential manipulation or inappropriate content. Advocates for the law argue that, without proper oversight, AI chatbots could negatively impact the mental health and safety of minors.
What This Means for AI Companies
If the bill passes, AI developers would need to take significant steps to verify user ages. Failure to do so could result in heavy penalties. This law could set a precedent for future regulations on AI technologies and their use by minors.
Sources:
https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/law-minors-ai-chatbots