US: Senator demands explanation from OpenAI about risks of ChatGPT for children

In the United States, the debate about the security of artificial intelligence technologies is escalating. US Senator Josh Hawley sent an official appeal to the head of OpenAI, Sam Altman, with a request to provide documents and explanations regarding the potential threats that the chat bot ChatGPT can pose to children and adolescents.

The US Congress has initiated an investigation into the security of generative artificial intelligence systems. During the hearings, parents have already reported cases where the use of such technologies caused concern for the mental and emotional state of minors. The senator noted that there is evidence of the possible negative impact of AI bots on children and adolescents, and stressed that developers are responsible for this.

In a letter to OpenAI management, Hawley demanded answers to a number of questions related to the principles of development, implementation of the company's products and cases when their use could cause harm to teenagers. He set a deadline of October 17 to provide an official response.

The senator paid special attention to the broader context of industry regulation. In August, it launched a similar investigation into other major tech companies whose activities are linked to the development of chatbots. In particular, questions about their possible attempts to engage in emotionally charged interactions with underage users were considered.

The position of the US Congress reflects the growing demand for the development of uniform rules for regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the field of interaction with children and adolescents. How transparent and responsible the actions of developers will be depends not only on the trust in the technologies themselves, but also on their future place in the education and social communications system.