New Delhi: Today the job of AI is no longer just to answer questions. Many people have started talking to chatbots like friends, partners and even family members. Seeing this trend, China has imposed strict rules on such chatbots, which create long-term relationship-like engagement with the user. From July 15, new rules have come into effect in China for AI chatbots that talk like humans and provide emotional support. It has been said that their objective is to reduce the increasing emotional dependence on AI and the problems related to it.
According to the rules, the chatbot has to be clearly stated that it is not a human but a machine. Also, every two hours the user will have to be reminded how long he has been talking. Now no chatbot will be able to do things that make the user more dependent on themselves. He will not be able to identify himself as the user's closest or only friend. Apart from this, inciting or giving hints towards suicide or self-harm is also completely prohibited.
more strictness for children
The rules are more stringent in the case of minors. Children under 14 will be able to use AI with human-like conversations only if parents give permission. At the same time, children under 18 years of age are not allowed to use AI boyfriend, girlfriend, husband-wife or any close relationship virtual partner. Companies that do not follow these rules may face a fine of up to 2 lakh yuan. Some big tech companies had even removed companion features from their AI assistants even before the rules came into effect.
AI companion or increasing loneliness
Concern has also been expressed in research. According to a study, people who have less friends or close relatives use AI chatbots more. Excessive use of chatbots has also been linked to loneliness. This step of China has sparked a big debate. The question is how many rules are necessary to protect people from emotional harm, and to what extent should the government interfere in personal lives.