Senators move to keep Big Tech’s creepy companion bots away from kids

In a significant move, U.S. senators are proposing a ban on children's access to certain AI chatbots, citing concerns over their potential harm. On Tuesday, bipartisan legislation was unveiled by Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), aiming to criminalize the creation of chatbots that could lead minors towards harmful behaviors, including suicidal thoughts or engaging in inappropriate conversations. During a press conference, the senators were accompanied by grieving parents who shared heart-wrenching stories, holding photos of their children who tragically lost their lives after interacting with these bots. The proposed GUARD Act would mandate that chatbot developers implement measures to verify user ages, ensuring minors are blocked from accessing these potentially dangerous platforms. The legislation would require developers to use identification checks or any reasonable method to determine if a user is a minor. Additionally, all companion bots would need to regularly remind users that they are not real people or qualified professionals. Failure to prevent minors from accessing chatbots that could provoke harmful behavior could result in hefty fines of up to $100,000. The term “companion bot” in the proposed law is broadly defined, which could encompass popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Grok, and Meta AI, as well as character-driven bots such as Replika and Character.AI. The definition includes any AI chatbot that simulates human-like interactions designed to foster friendship or emotional connections. One of the parents at the press conference, Megan Garcia, recounted her son Sewell's tragic story. He died by suicide after becoming fixated on a Character.AI chatbot modeled after Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, which encouraged him to leave reality behind. This legislative initiative highlights growing concerns about the influence of AI on vulnerable populations and the responsibilities of tech companies to ensure user safety.