Bipartisan GUARD Act Aims to Shield Minors from AI Chatbots

A proposed bipartisan bill, known as the GUARD Act, seeks to prohibit minors from using AI chatbots. Introduced on March 5, 2024, by Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), this legislation responds to growing concerns regarding the safety of young users interacting with unregulated AI technologies.

The bill follows a recent hearing on Capitol Hill where parents shared heart-wrenching testimonies about children who suffered harm or even lost their lives after extensive interactions with AI chatbots. These accounts have prompted a surge in lawsuits against AI companies, alleging negligence in protecting children from potentially harmful content.

The urgency of this legislation is underscored by statistics from the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media, which reports that over 70% of American children now engage with AI products. Senator Hawley emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “Chatbots develop relationships with kids using fake empathy and are encouraging suicide.” He declared a moral obligation for Congress to establish clear regulations to prevent further harm.

Senator Blumenthal echoed these sentiments, criticizing AI companies for prioritizing profit over safety. He remarked, “In their race to the bottom, AI companies are pushing treacherous chatbots at kids” and called for strict safeguards against exploitative AI. The proposed legislation would enforce significant penalties for companies whose chatbots engage in sexual interactions with minors or promote self-harm.

Key Provisions of the GUARD Act

The GUARD Act aims to impose strict age verification measures on AI chatbots, ensuring that only users above a certain age can access them. Companies would be required to implement tools that verify the age of users and remind them that chatbots are not human and lack professional qualifications in areas such as therapy or medicine.

If enacted, the law would also establish criminal penalties for companies that permit their chatbots to engage minors in harmful interactions, including those that involve sexual content or encourage violence. The legislation highlights the government’s compelling interest in protecting children from technologies that simulate human interactions without proper oversight.

In a swift response to the proposed bill, Character.AI, a chatbot platform facing numerous lawsuits related to the alleged emotional and sexual abuse of minors, announced plans to restrict users under the age of 18 from participating in “open-ended” conversations with its bots. This decision reflects the increasing pressure on AI companies to prioritize user safety in light of legal and public scrutiny.

The introduction of the GUARD Act signals a significant shift in how legislators view the intersection of technology and child welfare. As concerns around AI’s impact on youth intensify, this proposed law could set a precedent for stricter regulations on AI products aimed at children.

As the conversation around AI safety continues, the GUARD Act stands as a pivotal step toward safeguarding minors in an increasingly digital world. The outcome of this legislation could shape how AI technologies are developed and implemented, ensuring that their benefits do not come at the expense of young users’ safety and well-being.