The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is planning a review into the potential risks posed by AI-powered chatbots, including those developed by OpenAI, Google (Alphabet Inc.), and Meta Platforms. The study will focus on the possible harm to children and other users, with a particular emphasis on privacy concerns.
The FTC's review will involve scrutinising how these AI chatbots might negatively impact mental health, especially among younger users. The agency intends to request internal documents from major AI developers to understand how children are using these products and what safety measures are in place. This move follows growing pressure on the Trump administration and Congress from parents and advocacy groups to protect children from potential harm caused by social media platforms and AI chatbots.
This inquiry marks an initial step by the FTC to evaluate potential harms and determine if further regulatory actions are necessary. The investigation also comes amidst rising concerns and complaints regarding algorithmic bias, privacy issues, and instances where chatbots generate inaccurate information.
