In a major policy shift, OpenAI is rolling out a new age-verification system and parental controls for ChatGPT, prioritizing teen safety after a high-profile lawsuit raised concerns about the chatbot's influence on minors.
OpenAI, the company behind the widely-used ChatGPT, has announced a series of significant policy changes aimed at enhancing safety for its youngest users. The move comes amid increasing scrutiny and a lawsuit filed by the family of a 16-year-old who died by suicide, alleging the AI chatbot played a role in his death.
The new safeguards introduce a "teen-friendly" version of ChatGPT that will automatically activate for users under 18. This version will feature stricter content filters to block sensitive topics, including discussions of self-harm and graphic sexual content. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, stated the company is putting "safety ahead of privacy and freedom for teens," a major philosophical shift in its approach to AI ethics.
New Teen Safety Plan Highlights:
Age-Prediction Technology: OpenAI is developing a system to estimate a user's age based on their interaction patterns. If the system is uncertain, it will default to the safer, under-18 experience.
Parental Controls: Parents will gain new tools to link their accounts with their teen's, allowing them to manage chat history, disable certain features, and set "blackout hours" to limit usage.
Emergency Response: In cases where a teen expresses suicidal thoughts, the system may attempt to contact the user's parents and, in an emergency, notify law enforcement.
ID Verification: In some regions, adults may be asked to provide ID to prove their age, a measure OpenAI calls a "worthy tradeoff" for increased protection.
This initiative reflects a growing trend among tech companies to address the mental health and safety impacts of their platforms on young people. By implementing these changes, OpenAI is setting a new industry standard for responsible AI development and acknowledging the need for tailored user experiences based on age and vulnerability.
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