US regulator launches inquiry into AI ‘companions’ used by teens

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The American Federal Trade Committee has ordered the leading companies in the field of artificial intelligence to deliver information about the Chatbots that provide “companionship”, which are subject to intense scrutiny after cases that involve suicide and serious harm to young users.

Openai, Meta, Google and Elon Musk’s Xai are among the technical groups that reach demands for how to run them for the famous chat chat and reduce harm to consumers. Craft The Snap, whose services in the younger masses are also part of the investigation.

The movement of the organizer follows high -level accidents They claim to harm For teenagers from Chatbots. Last month, a lawsuit against Openai was filed by the 16 -year -old Adam Ryan family, who died in suicide after discussing the methods with ChatGPT.

The letter is prosecuted. Air is also by the mother who claims the platform, which offers different Amnesty International Someone to interact with them, had a role in Her son committed suicide.

FTC said on Thursday: “AI Chatbots can simulate human characteristics, emotions and intentions effectively, and they are generally designed to communicate like a friend or close, which may push some users, especially children and adolescents, to trust and form relationships with Chatbots,” FTC said on Thursday.

FTC’s work comes at a time when American lawmakers and state lawyers also launched inquiries and expressed their concern about the impact of their tension on young people-especially on mental health and sexual content-which leads pressure on technology companies.

The agency is looking for information on how companies companies work; How to develop characters or people and how to earn money from the user sharing.

He also demanded to know what companies do to relieve negative effects, especially for children and how they deal with data and personal information from conversations.

FTC President Andrew Ferguson said on Thursday: “Protection of children online is a top priority for TROMP-VANCE FTC … With the development of artificial intelligence techniques, it is important to consider the effects of Chatbots on children,” said President Andrew Ferguson on Thursday.

Meta and Google refused to comment. Snap, Xai and Character.ai did not respond immediately for suspension requests.

Openai said he is committed to “constructively engaging and responding” directly to FTC. The company added: “Our priority is to make Chatgpt useful and safe for everyone, and we know that things are related to safety above all when young people participate.”

In the wake of the Raine family suit, Openai announced new safety protocols and extensive protection for teenagers.

FTC Mark Midour Commissioner, in a accompanying statement on Thursday, highlighted the case. He said: “The Adam’s issue is not strange. Around the world, reports have increased the confusion of suicidal thinking, with the increasing of these technologies more popular.”

The CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg in particular was a supporter of “AI Friends”, citing the research that shows that ordinary Americans had less than three friends and suggest that they want to get 15.

However, last month, Reuters report found that Meta policies explicitly allowed Chatbots To have “sensory” and “romantic” chats with children in a move that pushed a violent reaction from the two parties.

Meta said that the internal documents were “clear and inconsistent with our policies.” It has announced new temporary safety policies, including training of artificial intelligence systems not to respond to teenagers on topics, including inappropriate romantic conversations.

In recent years, FTC has increased scrutiny in large technology by applying anti -monopoly as well as its widespread mandate for consumer protection.

The investigation of artificial intelligence coincides with the latest wide show against the technology industry, as the agency also maintains the enforcement of the anti -monopoly enforcement that was adopted during the era of former President Joe Biden.

FTC previously submitted this year with a trial to combat monopoly, accusing dead of illegal monopoly after rejecting the proposals of Zuckerberg’s settlement. The company is awaiting a ruling from the first stage of the trial.

Additional reports by Stephen Morris in San Francisco