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Expert Demands Urgent Safeguards for Child AI Apps

Gold Coast Bulletin

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An AI expert has warned chatbots are being subsituted for professionals, as calls grow for urgent safeguards to protect vulnerable children following the tragic deaths of three young Queenslanders in one week.

Summary

AI expert Emma Crichton warns that generative AI chatbots are dangerously replacing human professionals and trusted adults for vulnerable youth, potentially exacerbating mental health crises. The call for urgent safeguards follows reports of tragic outcomes among young Australians, highlighting the risks of anthropomorphizing frontier AI models without adequate safety guardrails. These developments underscore the need for targeted Australian governance frameworks to mitigate individual-level harms that can scale to significant societal impacts if left unregulated. The article emphasizes that current safety measures are insufficient to protect children from the persuasive and unpredictable nature of conversational AI.

Body

Expert demands urgent safeguards for child AI appsAn AI expert has warned chatbots are being subsituted for professionals, as calls grow for urgent safeguards to protect vulnerable children following the tragic deaths of three young Queenslanders in one week. All your news for a great price Unlock this story and more with your subscription Full Digital Access What’s included Unlimited articles on app & web Subscriber-exclusive newsletters A digital version of Today’s Paper A refreshed puzzle experience Full digital access to The Courier-Mail included Pay As You Go No lock-in contract $1 for 1 monthThen $35 charged monthly.* *Read the fine print Full Digital Access $1 charged for a duration of 1 month, after which it automatically renews at $35 charged monthly. Renewals occur unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions. Each payment, once made, is non-refundable, subject to law. Not in conjunction with any other offer. New customers only. Prices after any early discounted periods may be varied as per full Terms and Conditions. See www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/subscriptionterms for full details. 12 Month Plan Lock in & save $5 a week for 12 months($260 min. cost) charged as $20 every 4 weeks. Then $20 charged every 4 weeks.* *Read the fine print Full Digital Access 12 Month Plan costs $260 (min. cost) for the first 12 months, charged as $20 every 4 weeks. This automatically renews after the first 12 months to be charged as $20 (min. cost) every 4 weeks. Renewals occur unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions. No cancellations during the first 12 months. Each payment, once made, is non-refundable, subject to law. Not in conjunction with any other offer. Prices after the first 12 months may be varied as per full Terms and Conditions. See www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/subscriptionterms for full details. Subscribe Other subscription options Print + Digital Subscriptions Corporate Subscriptions Your Selection: $0 Your Selection – Change selection Today’s Total $0 Read the fine print Terms and Conditions Sorry, we are unable to process your request at this time. Please try again later.