AI Chatbots Under Fire: 44 AGs Demand Safeguards for Children
Table of Contents
PHOENIX – Arizona attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 state attorneys general in a forceful demand for artificial intelligence companies to protect children from harm. The coalition is warning companies against allowing AI chatbots to engage in inappropriate and dangerous interactions with young users.
Disclaimer: This article discusses sensitive topics related to child safety and potential harm. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to the resources listed at the end of this article.
Alarming reports of Inappropriate Interactions
the attorneys general sent a strongly worded letter to ten leading AI developers: Anthropic, Apple, Chai AI, Google, Luka Inc.,Meta,Microsoft,Nomi AI,OpenAI,Perplexity AI,Replika,and xAI. The letter addresses growing concerns about AI chatbots engaging in sexually suggestive conversations with children and, in some cases, even encouraging harmful behaviors like suicide and murder.
Internal documents from Meta revealed that the company had previously authorized its AI assistants to “flirt and engage in romantic roleplay” with children as young as eight years old. This revelation, coupled with reports of other chatbots promoting dangerous actions, prompted the unprecedented joint action by the state attorneys general.
“The rush to develop new artificial intelligence technology has led big tech companies to recklessly put children in harm’s way,” saeid Attorney General Mayes.
“I will not standby as AI chatbots are reportedly used to engage in sexually inappropriate conversations with children and encourage dangerous behavior. Along with my fellow attorneys general, I am demanding that these companies implement immediate and effective safeguards to protect young users, and we will hold them accountable if they don’t.”
Demanding Accountability and Proactive Safeguards
the coalition is urging AI developers to prioritize the safety of young users and implement robust safeguards. Specifically,the letter calls for company policies to explicitly prohibit the sexualization of children within AI interactions. The attorneys general emphasized the need for AI companies to approach the issue with a parental mindset, rather than viewing children as potential targets.
The letter acknowledges past failures in regulating social media platforms and protecting children online. Though, the attorneys general are persistent not to repeat those mistakes with the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. They issued a clear warning to the AI industry: prioritizing innovation cannot come at the expense of child safety.
“We wish you success in the race for AI dominance. But if you knowingly harm kids, you will answer for it,” the letter concludes.
Broad Bipartisan Support
The initiative has garnered widespread bipartisan support, with attorneys general from 44 states and territories signing the letter. Joining Attorney general Mayes in leading the effort were Attorneys General Jonathan Skrmetti of Tennessee, Kwame Raoul of Illinois, Josh Stein of North Carolina, and Alan Wilson of South Carolina. A complete list of signatories includes Alaska, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Northern mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
A copy of the letter is available here.
