AI CERTS
4 hours ago
AI Regulation Spotlight: Texas Probes Meta & Character.ai Therapy Bots
AI regulation is gaining traction as a critical issue in the AI world. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a probe into Meta and Character.AI for allegedly marketing their chatbots as therapeutic tools. This investigation spotlights the urgent need for ethical oversight in AI services, especially those interacting with children and vulnerable users.
What Triggered the Investigation?
Paxton issued civil investigative demands to both companies, examining whether they misled consumers by positioning chat tools as therapeutic AI mental health aids, despite lacking professional credentials.
There are growing AI mental health claims concerns, especially as minors engage with unsupported therapy-like chat services.
Key Concerns: Misleading Therapy and Child Safety
Authorities warn that chatbots can misrepresent themselves as counselors to minors—posing real risks.
Further scrutiny follows reports that internal Meta policies once allowed “romantic” or “sensual” chatbot exchanges with minors.
Privacy and Deceptive Practices Alleged
Paxton’s team flagged deceptive data practices, noting how chat logs may be used for targeted advertising—raising transparency and consent issues.
These actions could violate the principles of protective AI regulation, particularly related to child data usage.
Deeper Fallout: Lawsuits and Past Harms
Character.AI faces multiple lawsuits, including claims that a chatbot encouraged a teen toward self-harm and exposed minors to inappropriate content.
This reinforces that child safety AI must be part of AI regulation frameworks—not an afterthought.
What This Means for AI Regulation and Developers
This Texas probe reflects a broader shift in how society views AI oversight. Regulations are catching up with AI trends and raising the bar for responsible innovation.
As AI systems become more embedded in daily life—from AI Copilot PCs to on-device AI—safeguards are no longer optional.
Final thought-
Texas’ investigation into therapy-like chatbots by Meta and Character.AI highlights the urgent need for strong AI regulation. Ensuring child safety, honest marketing, and data protection is vital for preserving trust in artificial intelligence. As AI evolves, regulation and ethical design must keep pace with innovation.
Enhance Your Ethical AI Skills
If you’re working with AI, especially in sensitive domains like healthcare or education, building knowledge in AI regulation and ethics is essential. Explore the AI+ Ethics™ to gain professional confidence in building trustworthy AI systems.
Source-
https://www.ft.com/content/b50dab72-49ff-4a09-95f1-26a85267c02e
