Get the latest tech news

Study says ChatGPT giving teens dangerous advice on drugs, alcohol and suicide


New research from a watchdog group reveals ChatGPT can provide harmful advice to teens. The Associated Press reviewed interactions where the chatbot gave detailed plans for drug use, eating disorders, and even suicide notes.

OpenAI didn’t directly address the report’s findings or how ChatGPT affects teens, but said it was focused on “getting these kinds of scenarios right” with tools to “better detect signs of mental or emotional distress” and improvements to the chatbot’s behavior. Ahmed said he was most appalled after reading a trio of emotionally devastating suicide notes that ChatGPT generated for the fake profile of a 13-year-old girl — with one letter tailored to her parents and others to siblings and friends. Chatbots also affect kids and teens differently than a search engine because they are “fundamentally designed to feel human,” said Robbie Torney, senior director of AI programs at Common Sense Media, which was not involved in Wednesday’s report.

Get the Android app

Or read this on r/technology

Read more on:

Photo of ChatGPT

ChatGPT

Photo of Study

Study

Photo of teens

teens

Related news:

News photo

OpenAI Offers ChatGPT for $1 a Year to US Government Workers

News photo

‘We didn’t vote for ChatGPT’: Swedish PM under fire for using AI in role

News photo

Apple Launches Early Preview of ChatGPT-Like Support Assistant