Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro voiced concern over the rising number of children turning to AI companion bots for guidance instead of trusted adults, urging steps to shield young users from potentially harmful content.
Governor Sounds Alarm As AI Bots Replace Trusted Adults
On Wednesday, Governor Shapiro took to X to raise this issue. He empathized with these children and expressed worries about the companies behind these bots taking advantage of them.
Shapiro suggested measures to safeguard children online, such as age verification, parental consent, and preventing the creation of sexually explicit or violent content featuring kids.
“As a parent, I feel for those kids — and I’m worried that those companion bots and the companies that build them are taking advantage of them. But we're not powerless here. We can take real steps to make our kids safer online — like requiring age verification and parental consent, and preventing these bots from producing sexually explicit or violent content featuring kids. Let’s get it done,” Shapiro wrote on X.
Too many kids who feel lonely or are having a hard time are turning to AI companion bots for advice instead of a trusted friend, parent, or teacher.
As a parent, I feel for those kids — and I'm worried that those companion bots and the companies that build them are taking…
From Your Child’s Confidant to Your Dog’s Best Friend
The rise of AI companion bots has sparked concerns about their potential impact on mental health and social relationships.
Industry leaders like Meta CEO (NASDAQ:META) Mark Zuckerberg have earlier been criticized for their vision of AI companionship, with experts warning of the psychological risks associated with virtual relationships.
Last November, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas also warned that AI companion apps could make users mentally “manipulable,” noting that many people find virtual relationships more engaging than real life.
The reach of AI companionship is growing. Earlier this year, Tuya Inc.(NYSE:TUYA) introduced Aura, an AI-powered pet companion robot that can detect a pet's emotional state, showing how the technology is weaving into everyday life.
The call for regulation by Governor Shapiro reflects a growing awareness of the need to protect vulnerable users from potential harm.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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