AI companions present risks for young users, US watchdog warns

AI companions powered by generative artificial intelligence present real risks and should be banned for minors, a leading US tech watchdog said in a study published Wednesday.The explosion in generative AI since the advent of ChatGPT has seen several startups launch apps focused on exchange and contact, sometimes described as virtual friends or therapists that communicate according to one’s tastes and needs.

The watchdog, Common Sense, tested several of these platforms, namely Nomi, Character AI, and Replika, to assess their responses.

While some…