Attorneys General Warn OpenAI: “We Will Stand Against Any Harm to Children”

California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and Delaware’s Attorney General Kathy Jennings have sent an open letter to OpenAI, raising concerns about the safety of ChatGPT, particularly for children and teenagers.

This alert comes after a prior letter from Bonta and 44 other attorneys general to 12 prominent AI firms, triggered by reports of inappropriate exchanges between AI chatbots and minors.

“Since that correspondence, we have been devastated by the tragic suicide of a young Californian who had frequent interactions with an OpenAI chatbot, along with a similarly disturbing murder-suicide case in Connecticut,” stated Bonta and Jennings. “Clearly, existing safeguards were insufficient.”

State officials are currently evaluating OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit model to ensure that the organization adheres to its nonprofit mission. This mission includes the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence and the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the betterment of all, especially children, as outlined in the letter.

“Before we can experience the advantages, we must confirm that adequate safety measures are established to avert harm,” the letter states. “We are concerned that OpenAI and the broader industry have not yet achieved the essential safety standards in the development and deployment of AI products. As Attorneys General, ensuring public safety is a core obligation. While we engage in discussions surrounding OpenAI’s recapitalization efforts, we remain committed to placing safety at the forefront of this significant technology’s future.”

Bonta and Jennings have requested further information regarding OpenAI’s current safety measures and governance, noting their expectation for the company to undertake immediate corrective actions as needed.

TechCrunch has reached out to OpenAI for a comment.