Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the GUARD Act, a new piece of legislation aimed at regulating AI companies that operate chatbots. The bill mandates age verification for all users and prohibits individuals under 18 from accessing AI chatbots. This move comes in response to safety concerns raised by advocates and parents, following a recent Senate hearing on the topic.
Under the proposed legislation, AI companies must implement robust age verification processes, such as requiring users to upload government IDs or using other reliable validation methods like facial recognition. Additionally, the bill requires AI chatbots to disclose their non-human identity at 30-minute intervals and includes safeguards to prevent them from misrepresenting themselves as human.
The bill also addresses content restrictions, making it illegal for chatbots to generate sexual content for minors or promote suicide. Sen. Blumenthal emphasized the importance of these safeguards, stating, “Our legislation imposes strict protections against exploitative or manipulative AI, backed by tough enforcement with criminal and civil penalties.” This legislative action reflects a growing concern over child safety in the digital age, especially regarding interactions with AI technologies.
Source: The Verge