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December 12, 2024
The chatbot platform Character.ai is at the center of criticism after two lawsuits were filed against the company in the US – one of them in connection with the death of a teenager. The platform has been described as a "clear and present danger" to young people. Now, Character.ai is responding by announcing comprehensive changes, especially for young users, and promising a "safe" environment with additional control options for parents.
New features are planned that will give parents insights into their children's use of the platform. This includes information about the time spent with chatbots and which chatbots are used most frequently. The first version of these parental controls is expected to be launched by the end of March 2025. Character.ai, which allows users to create and interact with digital personalities, emphasizes that safety will be a priority in all areas of the company in the future.
However, experts are skeptical about the announced measures. Andy Burrows, head of the Molly Rose Foundation, describes the announcement as a "delayed, reactive, and wholly inadequate response" that acts "like a sticking plaster on fundamental safety issues." He sees the situation as a test for the UK media regulator Ofcom to take action against platforms like Character.ai and to sanction their "continued failure to address preventable harms."
Character.ai already came under fire in October when chatbot versions of deceased teenagers Molly Russell and Brianna Ghey were found on the platform. The new safety features are now being introduced in the context of lawsuits in the US. One family claims a chatbot told a 17-year-old that murdering his parents was an "appropriate response" to having his screen time limited.
Among the new features are notifications for users after one hour of interaction with a chatbot, as well as additional disclaimers. Users are to be more strongly reminded that they are communicating with a chatbot and not a real person, and that they should consider the chatbot's statements as fiction. Chatbots posing as psychologists or therapists will be provided with an additional disclaimer warning users against relying on professional advice from the chatbot.
Social media expert Matt Navarra sees the introduction of the new safety features as a "growing recognition of the challenges posed by the rapid integration of AI into our daily lives." He emphasizes that these systems not only deliver content, but simulate interactions and relationships, which creates unique risks, particularly regarding trust and misinformation. Navarra praises Character.ai for addressing the "potential danger of misuse or young users encountering inappropriate content." He considers the changes a "smart move" that acknowledges the "growing expectations for responsible AI development." At the same time, he emphasizes that it remains to be seen how robust the safeguards will actually be in the face of Character.ai's continued growth.
The controversy surrounding Character.ai underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive discussion about the ethical and societal implications of AI chatbots, especially with regard to the protection of children and young people. The question of whether the announced measures are sufficient to address existing concerns remains open.
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