'Social Media on Steroids.' Advocates for Children Call for Guardrails Around AI

Two-time Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned that artificial intelligence marks the greatest transformation humans have witnessed in a significant period. Speaking at a conference in New York City’s public library, Murthy likened AI to nuclear weaponry, emphasizing the urgent need for safety standards. Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, echoed this sentiment, stating that tech leaders have historically failed to create safe digital information systems for children.

He called AI "social media on steroids" and highlighted the absence of federal regulations to protect kids. New York Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled new regulations to prevent AI from impersonating humans, encouraging harmful behavior, or using children's personal information. The new law, effective in January, bans chatbots from engaging in suicide, self-harm, secrecy, isolation, or sexually explicit interactions.

However, critics argue that federal regulation is still lacking. Panelists advocated for various measures, such as increasing data transparency, rigorous testing, and criminal penalties for unsafe AI deployment. While legal solutions may help, experts also stress the importance of human interaction and education. Children's socialization by AI, particularly through voice-activated assistants and AI toys, may shape their expectations for social relationships.

Parents are urged to educate themselves about AI and prioritize human connections for their children. Additionally, AI's impact on education and workforce readiness is discussed, with concerns over unequal access to AI skills potentially widening the gap between graduates.