Australia’s internet regulator said it may pressure search engines and app stores to ban artificial intelligence services that fail to verify users’ ages, after a Reuters review revealed that more than half of these services had not announced any steps to comply with the deadline, which expires in a few days.
This warning reflects one of the strongest global efforts to curb the activities of AI companies, which are facing a growing number of lawsuits for failing to prevent, and even encouraging, self-harm or violence. Researchers warn that these platforms are more harmful to young people’s mental health than social media.
In December, Australia became the first country to ban social media for teenagers, citing mental health concerns, prompting world leaders to announce their intention to follow suit. The country now says it is leading a similar campaign against AI by imposing age restrictions on content that people can access using the technology.
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From March 9, internet services in Australia, including search tools such as AI-powered ChatGBT and less popular chatbots, will have to block Australians under the age of 18 from accessing pornographic, excessively violent, self-harming, or eating disorder content, or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$35 million).
