Co-founder of the AI, Tech & Privacy Academy (1,300+ participants), Author of Luiza’s Newsletter (78,000+ subscribers), Mother of 3
🚨 AI chatbots are dangerous, and the U.S. is FINALLY taking action 🎉. The FTC issued 6(b) orders to Google, OpenAI, Meta, xAI, CharacterAI, Snap, and Instagram. Here's what it means: The focus of these orders is to understand what steps these seven companies have taken to prevent the negative impacts AI chatbots can have on children. According to the official release, the FTC wants to understand what steps these companies have taken to: - evaluate the safety of their AI chatbots when acting as companions; - limit the products' use by and potential negative effects on children and teens; - inform users and parents of the risks associated with the products. The FTC's 6(b) authority allows it to conduct wide-ranging studies that don't have a specific law enforcement purpose. In this specific case, the FTC is looking for specific information about how these companies: - monetize user engagement - process user inputs and generate outputs in response to user inquiries - develop and approve characters - measure, test, and monitor for negative impacts before and after deployment - mitigate negative impacts, particularly to children - employ disclosures, advertising, and other representations to inform users and parents about features, capabilities, the intended audience, potential negative impacts, and data collection and handling practices - monitor and enforce compliance with the company rules and terms of service - use or share personal information obtained through users' conversations with the AI chatbots The FTC inquiries are often broad and thorough, and they ultimately shape the tech policy landscape, as other countries' authorities often follow suit with more internal scrutiny. Those who think that the U.S. doesn't regulate AI are deeply mistaken. It's true that the U.S. does not have a comprehensive federal AI law; HOWEVER, besides HUNDREDS of state laws covering AI, federal agencies such as the FTC have a crucial role in shaping technological development and deployment. I would go so far as to say that FTC enforcement over tech practices is often more effective than EU-style enforcement, with greater scrutiny, higher fines, and more global influence. Specifically on chatbots, if you read my newsletter, you are probably already tired of hearing me highlight their dangers, especially when children and vulnerable people are involved. In the past months, the FTC has published various articles highlighting some of the problematic issues involving AI chatbots. This week, the FTC took an additional step and issued 6(b) orders to these major companies behind AI chatbots. Depending on how these inquiries go, we might see more targeted enforcement actions soon. I'll keep you posted! - 👉 NEVER MISS my analyses and curations on AI: join my newsletter's 77,800+ subscribers (link below). 👉 To learn more about AI's legal and ethical challenges, join the 25th cohort of my AI Governance Training in November.
The thing here isn’t the FTC’s sudden burst of concern for children’s safety around AI chatbots — it’s the fracture beneath: the same regulatory state that normalizes algorithmic addiction loops, targeted advertising, and data-harvesting architectures is now pretending to surgically quarantine the harms only when the user is under 18.
I am sitting here with popcorn and a fair amount of anxiousness waiting to hear more about this story... keep it coming.
Pie in the sky. It’s a global issue, like climate policy. And it’s about far more than potential harm to children. Read Hinton’s comments about its potential negative impact then say something. For example, should AI and robotics be used to augment job performance or replace jobs? That’s just one of many issues. And I beg to differ, the FTC has not taken the lead.
This isn't exactly good news. The US under Trump refuses to protect its own children from death by school shootings. So how will it protect kids against chatbots? Too bad Trump has gutted agencies like the FTC and turned them into corrupt MAGA platforms -- this will hamper the agencies’ ability to act as robust, trustworthy watchdogs, especially at the federal level. The US is definitely not more effective than the EU currently. The belief that the US practices "greater scrutiny, higher fines, and more global influence" under Trump is almost laughable. We're talkig about an adminstration that is anti-science, corrupt to the core, easily manipulated by foreign actors, but somehow it's going to protect children from AI? Trump literally has a memecoin that he uses to accept personal favors across borders. This is hardly an administration that can take on the sobering weight of chatbot safety for children when it refuses to protect children from death by gun. smh
Insightful post, Luiza Jarovsky, PhD. The FTC’s move highlights the growing urgency of safeguarding children in the AI era. Regulatory clarity is vital not only for compliance but also for building trust in responsible innovation.
Ping Joni Ngai and Muhammad Akashah bin Ahamad
The FTC's proactive measures to investigate AI chatbots represent a significant step toward ensuring the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable users. By issuing 6(b) orders to major companies like Google, OpenAI, and Meta, the FTC is prioritizing accountability and transparency in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Understanding how these companies evaluate safety, mitigate negative impacts, and inform users about potential risks is crucial. This inquiry not only addresses immediate concerns but also sets a precedent for future regulatory frameworks. While the U.S. may not have a comprehensive federal AI law, the FTC's actions demonstrate that effective oversight is possible and necessary. As we navigate the complexities of AI technology, especially in its interactions with young users, it’s essential to encourage a culture of responsibility among developers. The potential dangers of AI chatbots cannot be overstated, and this scrutiny is a vital step in ensuring that innovation aligns with ethical standards and societal values. The outcome of these inquiries could shape the future of AI governance, making it imperative for us to stay informed and engaged in these discussions.
Good to see the FTC digging into this. Oversight on how chatbots affect kids has been a long time coming
Donald Trump says everything goes for the next several years because he wants to stay ahead of the Chinese in AI... When you have a very old man who doesn't know,or care,what AI is or does and has allowed himself to be convinced it's important in his tariff plan somehow,then don't expect any changes,any time soon... He just had all the scions of the LLMs at the Whitehouse to grovel at his feet,so don't expect any changes. He loves those who grovel... He'd love Idi Amin if he groveled at his feet... And they groveled to not have any guardrails,and got it...
Co-founder of the AI, Tech & Privacy Academy (1,300+ participants), Author of Luiza’s Newsletter (78,000+ subscribers), Mother of 3
1w👉 NEVER MISS my analyses and curations on AI: join my newsletter's 77,800+ subscribers: www.luizasnewsletter.com 👉 To learn more about AI's legal and ethical challenges, join the 25th cohort of my AI Governance Training in November: https://academy.aitechprivacy.com/ai-governance-training