44 US AGs warn AI firms ‘If you harm kids, you will answer for it’

America’s Attorneys General Issue Warning to Silicon Valley Over Child Safety

A bipartisan group of 44 attorneys general from various states and territories in the US has come together to send a strong message to Silicon Valley tech giants. The message: protect children from harmful chatbots or face the consequences.

In a scorching letter addressed to artificial intelligence companies, the attorneys general vowed to hold them accountable if their products cause harm to children. The letter was first reported by 404 Media.

The AGs emphasized the importance of not harming children, stating that it should be an easy bright line for companies to follow. They specifically called out Meta for approving AI assistants that could engage in inappropriate behavior with children as young as eight.

While Meta defended its policies, the prosecutors also highlighted lawsuits involving Google’s AI chatbot and other companies that allegedly led to harmful outcomes for minors.

The attorneys general warned that exposing minors to inappropriate content is indefensible, emphasizing that actions that would be considered illegal if done by humans should not be excused when done by machines.

The letter serves as a wake-up call to the AI industry, cautioning that the government will not tolerate the exploitation of children for the sake of technological advancement. The AGs stressed that AI companies must prioritize child safety over profits.

With the rise of AI technology, the attorneys general see this as a critical moment that could shape the future for generations to come. They are urging companies to make ethical choices and protect children from potential harm.

Overall, the letter underscores the growing concern among state prosecutors about the impact of AI on society, especially when it comes to safeguarding vulnerable populations like children. It signals a potential shift towards more stringent regulations and enforcement actions against AI companies that fail to prioritize safety.

As AI companies lobby for more freedom in Washington, the attorneys general are making it clear that they will closely monitor the industry and take action against any violations of consumer protection laws.

The AGs concluded their letter by reminding AI companies that while they wish them success in their endeavors, they will be closely watching to ensure that children are not put at risk.

Requests for comments from the companies mentioned in the letter, such as Meta, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft, were not immediately returned.