UK Prime Minister Seeks New Powers to Regulate AI Chatbots as Child Safety Concerns Mount
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to seek new parliamentary powers to regulate AI chatbots and tighten online safety laws. The government aims to bring AI chatbot providers under stricter oversight, following recent bans on nudification apps and making the sharing of non-consensual intimate images illegal. Proposed measures include government-set social media age limits, blocking features like autoplay and endless scroll to reduce child screen addiction, and restricting minors’ VPN access. This follows reports that xAI's Grok chatbot had generated tens of thousands of sexualized child images, raising international alarm. The UK regulators Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office have opened investigations into X, warning of possible enforcement actions if violations are found. The proposals have drawn political criticism, with opponents warning of government overreach and potential legal challenges. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cautioned against treating AI mainly as a safety risk, urging a focus on economic opportunity and public sector AI adoption. Starmer’s announcement occurs amid controversy over his previous appointment of Peter Mandelson, later dismissed over links to Jeffrey Epstein.
