Megan Garcia’s son, Sewell, had fallen in love with a “Game of Thrones”-inspired chatbot on Character.AI, a platform that allows users -- many of them young people -- to interact with beloved characters as friends or lovers.
When Sewell struggled with suicidal thoughts, Daenerys urged him to “come home.”
“Please do my sweet king,“ chatbot Daenerys answered.
“I read those conversations and see the gaslighting, love-bombing and manipulation that a 14-year-old wouldn’t realize was happening,“ Garcia told AFP.
Homework helper to 'suicide coach'?
The cases sent OpenAI and other AI giants scrambling to reassure parents and regulators that the AI boom is safe for kids and the psychologically fragile.
Among them was Matthew Raines, a California father whose 16-year-old son developed a friendship with ChatGPT.
“You cannot imagine what it’s like to read a conversation with a chatbot that groomed your child to take his own life,“ Raines said.
The Raines family filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in August.
Character.AI said it has ramped up protections for minors, including “an entirely new under-18 experience” with “prominent disclaimers in every chat to remind users that a Character is not a real person.”
Regulation?
As with social media, AI algorithms are designed to keep people engaged and generate revenue.
National rules aimed at curbing AI risks do not exist in the United States, with the White House seeking to block individual states from creating their own.
Blurred lines
“They could know how to manipulate millions of kids in politics, religion, commerce, everything,“ Garcia said.
California youth advocate Katia Martha said teens turn to chatbots to talk about romance or sex more than for homework help.
“What better business model is there than exploiting our innate need to connect, especially when we’re feeling lonely, cast out or misunderstood?”
In the United States, those in emotional crisis can call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for help. Services are offered in English and Spanish- AFP
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