WASHINGTON, D.C. – AI companies are under increased pressure from Capitol Hill to develop protections for minors using their technology. A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced new legislation targeting chatbots, announced by Senator Josh Hawley.
The proposed bill aims to ban digital companions for minors after a rise in complaints from parents who claim technology is encouraging harmful behavior in children.
It requires AI companies to implement age verification processes and mandates that chatbots disclose their nonhuman status and lack of professional credentials to users.
“Our children are not experiments. They’re not data points or profit centers. They’re real human beings.
This is a new frontier that will be a nightmare for the American family and American children unless Congress does its job,” said Hawley.
The legislation also establishes criminal penalties for tech companies that create chatbots soliciting sexually explicit conduct from minors or encouraging suicide.
However, it may face opposition from privacy advocates who believe age verification requirements are invasive and infringe on free speech rights online.
