Artificial Intelligence Developer OpenAI Unveils Child-Friendly ChatGPT Variant
OpenAI Introduces Age-Restricted ChatGPT Experience for Teenagers
In response to growing concerns about AI's potential impact on young people, OpenAI is developing a g new ChatGPT experience tailored for teenagers. This move comes after a Senate hearing examining AI's potential threats to the younger generation.
The new teen-focused ChatGPT experience will include stricter built-in limits and will not allow flirtatious conversations or discussions of self-harm, even in a fictional or creative-writing context. If the system cannot confidently estimate someone's age, ChatGPT will automatically default to the under-18 experience.
OpenAI has also planned an automatic age verification system for ChatGPT users. This system analyzes user behavior to estimate age, giving under-18 users access only to a restricted version of ChatGPT. If signs of acute psychological distress are detected, OpenAI may contact parents or authorities. Parents will be able to link their accounts with their teenager's to set age-appropriate behavior rules and receive notifications if the chatbot detects an acute emergency in the teen's input.
Moreover, parents can link accounts, set rules for how ChatGPT responds, and enforce 'blackout hours' when the app is off-limits. This is part of OpenAI's broader safety push, mirroring Google's approach to teen safety, as seen with the creation of YouTube Kids after criticism and regulatory pressure.
However, it's important to note that history suggests that savvy teens may find workarounds to get unrestricted access to the standard version of ChatGPT. OpenAI prioritizes safety ahead of privacy and freedom for teens in the new mode, which may come at the cost of privacy, such as asking for IDs.
The new teen mode is set to be rolled out by the end of the year. Resources are available for individuals struggling with negative thoughts or suicidal feelings, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 in the US. If a teen expresses suicidal thoughts, OpenAI may alert parents or contact authorities in emergency situations.
Lawmakers have been pressuring tech companies over teen safety due to lawsuits alleging AI platforms worsen mental health struggles or provide harmful health advice. This new initiative by OpenAI is a significant step towards addressing these concerns and ensuring a safer digital environment for teenagers.
