Ex-Google safety chief warns AI could harm children more than social media did

Former Google safety chief Tom Siegel has warned that AI could pose a greater threat to children than social media did in the past, during a time when the tech industry is pushing for rapid advancements in AI features. Siegel's concerns come to light as several social media companies have faced legal repercussions for harming young users and governments worldwide are working on regulations to limit minors' access to their platforms. Despite these efforts, AI's rapid development has outpaced regulatory measures.

Siegel's warning echoes the growing apprehension among tech insiders and researchers who believe AI could be a more significant risk to children's well-being. He recently joined Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization founded in 2003, to serve as the first executive director of its new Youth AI Safety Institute. This institute is backed by companies such as Anthropic and the OpenAI Foundation and aims to assess the impact of AI on children's usage.

Siegel suggests that AI companies could take immediate steps to protect children, such as enhancing age verification measures to prevent underage users from accessing chatbots and turning off AI features like AI Overviews and AI Mode in search engines. While these actions might impact short-term usage or profits, failure to address these issues could lead to lawsuits and stricter regulations, Siegel argues.

A Google spokesperson stated that parents can control their child's access to the search engine, and that AI Search features are beneficial for learning and exploration. OpenAI highlighted its use of account and behavioral signals, as well as self-reported age, to identify underage users. Anthropic did not immediately respond to a request for comment.