Chatbot Barbie for Christmas? AI Companions and Child Welfare Don't Mix
During June's Second Annual Rome Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Corporate Governance Pope Leo XIV addressed the audience.
"All of us, I am sure," he said, "are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development."
Outside the conference walls, not everyone shares Leo's concerns.
America's AI Action Plan, issued by the White House, wants "a dynamic, 'try-first' culture for AI" and hopes to eliminate regulations and allow American industry to "move fast and break things."
AI companions, including some that are targeted to children, are a part of that "try-first/ask-later" strategy, and a new partnership between Mattel and OpenAI, seeks to usher "Chatbot Barbie" into the home and lives of youngsters.
Brian Green, director, technology ethics cautions, "We should not allow AI to become our parent, and we its infants, unable to make our own choices."
"Parents have always tried to mitigate the impact of tech on their kids," notes Irina Raicu, director, internet ethics. "But it's especially important with AI companions because children don't appreciate the risks involved."
Raicu says it's imperative that parents "educate themselves about what AI companions are and what they can do."
Brian Green, director, technology ethics, and Irina Raicu, director, internet ethics, quoted in "Chatbot Barbie for Christmas? AI companions and child welfare don't mix" in the National Catholic Reporter.