OpenAI is taking steps to gain the trust of parents and policymakers by collaborating with organizations that aim to reduce the negative impacts of technology and media on children and teenagers. The AI research lab recently announced a partnership with Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that evaluates the appropriateness of various media and tech for kids. The collaboration will focus on creating AI guidelines and educational resources for parents, educators, and young adults.
Creating Family-Friendly AI Tools
As part of the partnership, OpenAI will work with Common Sense Media to develop “family-friendly” GPTs. These are chatbot apps powered by OpenAI’s GenAI models. The apps will be featured in the GPT Store, OpenAI’s marketplace for GPTs, and will be curated based on Common Sense’s rating and evaluation standards, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
“AI offers incredible benefits for families and teens, and our partnership with Common Sense will further strengthen our safety work, ensuring that families and teens can use our tools with confidence,” Altman stated.
Assessing the Impact of AI Products
The partnership follows OpenAI’s commitment to participate in Common Sense’s new framework for ratings and reviews. Launched in September, the framework is designed to assess the safety, transparency, ethical use, and impact of AI products. The goal is to create a “nutrition label” for AI-powered apps, shedding light on the contexts in which the apps are used and highlighting areas of potential opportunity and harm.
Common Sense co-founder and CEO James Steyer noted that many parents are less knowledgeable about GenAI tools, such as OpenAI’s popular AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT, than younger generations. A poll commissioned by Common Sense Media found that 58% of students aged 12 to 18 have used ChatGPT, compared to 30% of parents of school-aged children.
“Together, Common Sense and OpenAI will work to make sure that AI has a positive impact on all teens and families,” Steyer said. ”Our guides and curation will be designed to educate families and educators about safe, responsible use of [OpenAI tools like] ChatGPT, so that we can collectively avoid any unintended consequences of this emerging technology.”
Regulatory Pressure on OpenAI
OpenAI is under regulatory scrutiny to demonstrate that its GenAI-powered apps, including ChatGPT, are beneficial to society and not harmful. Last summer, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission launched an investigation into OpenAI over concerns that ChatGPT may harm consumers through its data collection practices and publication of false statements about individuals. European data authorities have also expressed concern over OpenAI’s handling of private information.
Like all GenAI tools, OpenAI’s tools have a tendency to confidently make things up and get basic facts wrong. They also exhibit bias, reflecting the data used to train them. Despite these limitations, children and teenagers are increasingly using these tools for help with schoolwork and personal issues. A poll from the Center for Democracy and Technology revealed that 29% of kids have used ChatGPT to deal with anxiety or mental health issues, 22% for issues with friends, and 16% for family conflicts.
