Senators propose banning teens from using AI-powered chatbots

New legislation may require artificial intelligence companies to verify the ages of everyone who uses their chatbots. Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) The Guard Act was introduced on Tuesday, which will also prevent anyone under 18 from accessing AI chatbots. I mentioned it earlier before NBC News.

Invoice It only comes weeks After safety advocates and parents He attended a Senate hearing to draw attention to the impact of AI-powered chatbots on children. Under the legislation, AI companies would have to verify ages by asking users to upload their government ID or provide validation through another “reasonable” method, which might include something like a facial scan.

AI-powered chatbots would be required to disclose that they are not human at 30-minute intervals under the bill. They will also have to include safeguards that prevent them from claiming to be human, Similar to the AI ​​safety bill recently passed in California. The bill would also make it illegal to operate a chat program that produces sexual content for minors or encourages suicide.

“Our legislation imposes strict safeguards against exploitative or manipulative AI, backed by tough criminal and civil penalties,” Blumenthal said in a statement provided to Reuters. Edge. “Big Tech has betrayed any claim that we should trust companies to do the right thing on their own when they always put profit first before children’s safety.”