OpenAI Faces Child Safety Probe

OpenAI is under scrutiny regarding the potential risks its ChatGPT poses to children and teenagers. A US senator has requested documents and information from OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, to assess the chatbot's impact on younger users. This inquiry expands the ongoing congressional investigation into AI chatbots and their safety implications. OpenAI is developing age-prediction tools to identify users under 18, and may require identity verification in some regions to confirm age. Teen users will face stricter content restrictions, and ChatGPT will be trained to avoid flirtatious exchanges and sensitive topics like self-harm.

OpenAI is also creating parental controls that allow families to link accounts, set rules, limit features, and enforce blackout hours. Parents will receive notifications in cases of acute distress, and authorities will be contacted if necessary. These measures aim to balance safety, privacy, and freedom in AI use, with safety taking precedence for younger users. The investigation and the rollout of new safety features come amid growing concerns about the impact of AI on youth mental health and potential exposure to harmful content.