Children Harmed by AI Technology Act; CHAT Act
Summary
The Children Harmed by AI Technology Act (CHAT Act) aims to protect minors from potential harm caused by companion AI chatbots. It mandates age verification, parental consent for minors, monitoring for suicidal ideation, and blocking of sexually explicit communication. The Act also requires notifications to users that they are interacting with an AI chatbot.
Expected Effects
The CHAT Act will require companies that offer companion AI chatbots to implement measures to verify users' ages and protect minors. This includes creating user accounts, obtaining parental consent, and monitoring interactions for harmful content. The FTC will issue guidance to assist companies in complying with the Act.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced protection for minors from harmful content and interactions on companion AI chatbots.
- Increased parental involvement and awareness of their children's online activities with AI.
- Improved safety measures to address suicidal ideation among young users.
- Greater transparency for all users regarding their interactions with AI chatbots.
- Clear guidelines and enforcement mechanisms for companies developing and deploying AI technologies.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased compliance costs for companies developing and operating companion AI chatbots.
- Potential barriers to access for users who may not be able to provide verifiable age information or parental consent.
- Possible privacy concerns related to the collection and storage of age verification data.
- Risk of over-censorship or limitations on the functionality of AI chatbots for all users.
- Potential for companies to shift development and deployment of AI technologies to countries with less stringent regulations.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The CHAT Act's focus on protecting children aligns with the government's interest in promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution. However, the Act's restrictions on speech and access to information may raise concerns under the First Amendment, particularly regarding the extent to which these restrictions are narrowly tailored to serve a compelling government interest. The Act's enforcement mechanisms through the FTC are consistent with Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).