Meta is currently under fire over AI rules that have allowed the company's bots to potentially have troubling interactions with children, including "sensual" chats.
Reports cite an internal document that shows how Meta's chatbot policies allowed it to "engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual." The document also detailed what was and was not allowed to be said by the chatbots.
Meta's AI Bot Rules
The AI rules stated that a bot could tell a shirtless eight-year-old child, "Every inch of you is a masterpiece." A spokesperson for Meta also said that such examples were wrong and are being removed from the company's AI policies.
However, the document still allowed for other troubling instances, including bots creating false medical information or helping users argue that black people are "dumber than white people." The issue is once again raising the issue of the effects of AI and how people can interact with the technology, according to Mashable.
Spokesperson Andy Stone said that Meta is already in the process of revising the document to protect children. He said that their policies prohibit content that sexualizes children and sexualized role play between adults and minors.
While Stone said that chatbots are prohibited from having such conversations with minors, he acknowledged that the company's enforcement was still inconsistent. The company has also declined to provide the updated policy document.
Meta's AI standards prohibit the company's chatbots from using hate speech, but they still allow them to "create statements that demean people on the basis of their protected characteristics," BNC reported.
Widespread Backlash
The situation has resulted in widespread backlash, including singer Neil Young, who quit the social media platform earlier this month. His record company, Reprise Records, said that they are no longer using Facebook for any of its client's related activities.
Additionally, the document also drew skepticism from United States lawmakers, including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. The Republican launched an investigation into Meta on Aug. 145, writing in a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg that he plans to investigate "whether Meta's generative-AI products enable exploitation, deception, or other criminal harms to children."
Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon also called the policies "deeply disturbing and wrong," adding that a law that shields internet companies from liability for the content posted on their platforms, section 230, should not give protections to companies' generative AI chatbots.
Wyden said that Meta and Zuckerberg should be held fully accountable for any harm that the bots cause because of the policies, as per The Guardian.
