Salesforce's Benioff calls for AI regulation, says models have become 'suicide coaches'

Marc Benioff, the CEO of Salesforce, emphasized the urgent need for regulations surrounding artificial intelligence during a recent discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He highlighted concerning instances where AI technologies have been linked to suicide, referring to them as 'suicide coaches.' In his conversation with CNBC's Sarah Eisen, Benioff stated, "This year, you really saw something pretty horrific, which is these AI models became suicide coaches." His comments reflect a growing concern over the impact of AI on mental health, similar to his previous advocacy for regulating social media. Back in 2018, Benioff argued that social media platforms should be treated as health issues, advocating for regulations akin to those imposed on cigarettes due to their addictive nature and negative impact on users. He noted, "Bad things were happening all over the world because social media was fully unregulated," and is now witnessing a similar scenario with the rise of artificial intelligence. For those struggling with suicidal thoughts or in distress, it is crucial to reach out for help. Support is available through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, where trained counselors are ready to assist.