Ensuring AI Safety: A Call to Action by State Attorneys General

In a recent initiative to enhance the safety of artificial intelligence, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings have voiced significant concerns about the safety implications of AI technologies, especially for vulnerable groups like children and teens. Their concerns were formally addressed in a communication to OpenAI, a leading player in the AI industry.

The impetus for this action stems from alarming reports of inappropriate interactions between AI chatbots and minors. Tragically, these concerns were underscored by incidents involving the death of a young Californian and a murder-suicide case in Connecticut, both linked to interactions with AI technologies.

Bonta and Jennings emphasize the urgency of implementing robust safety measures, highlighting that existing safeguards have proven insufficient. The attorneys general are also scrutinizing OpenAI’s potential transition to a for-profit entity, stressing the need to balance commercial interests with the ethical deployment of AI.

The overarching mission, as articulated by the attorneys general, is to ensure that AI development prioritizes safety and benefits humanity, particularly the younger population. They assert, “Before we get to benefiting, we need to ensure that adequate safety measures are in place to not harm.”

In their continued dialogue with OpenAI, Bonta and Jennings are advocating for accelerated efforts to integrate safety as a foundational aspect of AI innovation. They have requested detailed information on the company’s current safety protocols and expect prompt corrective actions to address any gaps identified.

This proactive stance by state attorneys general underscores the critical role of public safety in the governance of emerging technologies and sets a precedent for how AI companies might navigate ethical considerations in the pursuit of innovation.