EU's Proposed AI Kids Act Targets Child-Facing Chatbots
The European Union is moving forward with new regulations targeting artificial intelligence chatbots used by children. The proposed legislation, known as the AI Kids Act, aims to restrict features that make chatbots appealing to minors on platforms such as ChatGPT, Character.ai, and Snapchat's My AI.
The act would require these services to remove or significantly limit functionality that attracts younger users, including personalized interactions, persistent memory features, and other engaging elements. The goal is to reduce potential harms to children while acknowledging the widespread use of AI assistants by minors across the EU.
Platforms subject to the regulation would face compliance requirements, potentially requiring age verification systems, data collection restrictions, and limitations on how AI systems can interact with users identified as or suspected to be under 18. Critics argue the rules could limit beneficial uses of AI by young people, while supporters say the protections are necessary given the developmental vulnerabilities of adolescents.