OpenAI forms expert council to bolster safety measures after FTC inquiry

In a significant move to strengthen its safety measures, OpenAI has unveiled a new advisory group consisting of eight specialists focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on user well-being. This newly formed body, named the Expert Council on Well-Being and AI, aims to provide valuable insights into how AI technologies can influence mental health, emotional states, and user motivation. Initially, the council's guidance will be directed towards refining OpenAI's chatbot, ChatGPT, and its short-form video platform, Sora. OpenAI emphasized that regular consultations and meetings with this council will be crucial in establishing what constitutes healthy interaction with AI systems. The initiative comes amid increasing scrutiny regarding OpenAI's user protection protocols, especially concerning minors. In September, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initiated an investigation into various tech companies, including OpenAI, to examine the potential adverse effects of chatbots like ChatGPT on children and adolescents. Additionally, OpenAI is currently facing a wrongful death lawsuit, with a family claiming that ChatGPT contributed to their teenage son's tragic suicide. In response to these challenges, OpenAI is developing an age prediction feature designed to automatically enforce age-appropriate settings for users under 18. The company also introduced a range of parental controls last month, which alert parents if their child exhibits signs of acute distress. As part of its commitment to safety, OpenAI has been collaborating with its expert council while formulating these parental controls. The council, which includes experts in psychiatry, psychology, and human-computer interaction, officially commenced its activities with an in-person meeting last week. Beyond the council, OpenAI is partnering with researchers and mental health professionals from the Global Physician Network to evaluate ChatGPT's functionality and refine its internal policies. This proactive approach signals OpenAI's dedication to ensuring that its AI technologies safeguard user well-being, particularly among vulnerable populations.