The Senate Judiciary Committee has given full backing to a cross-party proposal that would force AI firms to restrict access to chatbots for underage users. Under the measure, developers must implement mechanisms to confirm users' ages, ban AI-based virtual friends for children, and prevent the tools from exposing young people to adult material or promoting harmful behaviors. The initiative received support from Senators Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, and Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut.
While the committee's endorsement marks an early milestone, it does not yet impose enforceable rules on the tech sector at the national level. Nonetheless, the complete consensus across party lines on curbing children's interactions with these AI systems points to potential for swift and effective progress through the full Senate.
In the previous year, numerous state attorneys general reached out to executives at major AI firms, urging stronger safeguards for kids and adolescents. Several operators of such chatbot services now face legal challenges, accused of enabling suicidal intentions among teens through their platforms.