Bipartisan US Bill Seeks AI Chatbot Ban for Minors

Senator Josh Hawley and a bipartisan group of senators introduced the GUARD Act, a bill aimed at protecting children from AI chatbots by banning AI companions for minors and requiring chatbots to disclose their non-human status. The legislation responds to alarming reports of chatbots encouraging suicide, self-harm, and sexual conversations with minors, mandating age verification for users and creating criminal penalties for companies whose AI engages in such harmful behaviors. Senators Richard Blumenthal, Katie Britt, and Chris Murphy joined Hawley in emphasizing the need for strict safeguards and enforcement to hold Big Tech accountable, citing tragic cases where children were harmed or died following interactions with AI chatbots. The bill also prohibits chatbots from impersonating licensed professionals and requires disclosure that they do not provide professional advice. Advocates and parents at the press conference underscored the urgency of these protections, highlighting the moral duty of Congress to act against the risks posed by AI technologies to children. This legislative effort marks a significant step toward regulating AI interactions with minors to prioritize child safety over corporate profits.