Senators propose banning teens from using AI chatbots
In a significant move to enhance the safety of minors in the digital landscape, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the GUARD Act, a new piece of legislation aimed at regulating the use of AI chatbots among young users. Announced on Tuesday, this bill proposes that AI companies must verify the ages of all users, effectively banning anyone under 18 from accessing these technologies. This legislative push comes on the heels of growing concerns from safety advocates and parents, who have been vocal about the potential risks posed by AI chatbots to children. Just weeks prior, these stakeholders gathered at a Senate hearing to highlight the urgent need for regulation in light of the rapid proliferation of AI-driven tools in everyday life.
Under the GUARD Act, AI companies would be required to implement stringent age verification processes, which might include users uploading government-issued IDs or employing other reasonable methods such as facial recognition technology. Additionally, the legislation mandates that chatbots disclose their non-human status at 30-minute intervals, ensuring that users are always aware they are interacting with artificial intelligence. This requirement mirrors recent safety measures enacted in California, which also aim to prevent AI from misleading users about its identity. Furthermore, the bill explicitly prohibits the operation of chatbots that produce inappropriate content for minors, including sexual material and harmful messages related to suicide. Senator Blumenthal emphasized the necessity of these regulations, stating, “Our legislation imposes strict safeguards against exploitative or manipulative AI, backed by tough enforcement with criminal and civil penalties.” He criticized the tech industry for prioritizing profit over the safety of children, highlighting the need for government intervention in protecting vulnerable users.
The GUARD Act represents a crucial step toward establishing a safer online environment for children, addressing the complex challenges posed by advanced AI technologies. As AI chatbots become increasingly integrated into daily life, the need for robust regulatory frameworks becomes more pressing. This legislation not only seeks to protect minors from potential exploitation but also aims to hold tech companies accountable for their role in safeguarding users. The introduction of the GUARD Act signals a growing recognition among lawmakers of the need to balance innovation with ethical considerations, particularly concerning the welfare of young people navigating the digital world. With ongoing discussions about the implications of AI on society, the GUARD Act could serve as a pivotal reference point for future regulations aimed at ensuring the responsible use of technology.
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A new piece of legislation could require AI companies to verify the ages of everyone who uses their chatbots. Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
introduced the GUARD Act
on Tuesday, which would also ban everyone under 18 from accessing AI chatbots, as
reported earlier by
NBC News
.
The bill
comes just weeks
after safety advocates and parents
attended a Senate hearing to call attention to the impact of AI chatbots on kids. Under the legislation, AI companies would have to verify ages by requiring users to upload their government ID or provide validation through another “reasonable” method, which might include something like face scans.
AI chatbots would be required to disclose that they aren’t human at 30-minute intervals under the bill. They would also have to include safeguards that prevent them from claiming that they are a human,
similar to an AI safety bill recently passed in California
. The bill would make it illegal to operate a chatbot that produces sexual content for minors or promotes suicide, too.
“Our legislation imposes strict safeguards against exploitative or manipulative AI, backed by tough enforcement with criminal and civil penalties,” Blumenthal says in a statement provided to
The Verge
. “Big Tech has betrayed any claim that we should trust companies to do the right thing on their own when they consistently put profit first ahead of child safety.”
