OpenAI is determined to win the confidence of parents and policymakers by forging partnerships with organizations dedicated to minimizing the negative impact of technology and media on children and teenagers.
For instance, OpenAI recently announced a collaboration with the non-profit organization Common Sense Media, which assesses and ranks the appropriateness of various forms of media and technology for younger audiences. The partnership aims to develop AI guidelines and educational materials for parents, educators, and young adults.
As part of the alliance, OpenAI will team up with Common Sense Media to curate “family-friendly” GPTs, which are chatbot apps powered by OpenAI’s GenAI models, in the GPT Store – OpenAI’s GPT marketplace. These GPTs will be selected based on Common Sense’s criteria for ratings and evaluations, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
“AI offers incredible benefits for families and teens, and our partnership with Common Sense will further strengthen our safety efforts, ensuring that families and teens can confidently use our tools,” said Altman in a statement.
The launch of this collaboration comes after OpenAI announced its participation in Common Sense Media’s new framework, launched in September, for evaluating the safety, transparency, ethical use, and impact of AI products. Common Sense’s framework aims to provide a “nutrition label” for AI-powered apps and shed light on how they are used, while also highlighting potential areas of opportunity and harm based on “common sense” principles.
In a press release, Common Sense co-founder and CEO James Steyer emphasized the lack of knowledge around GenAI tools among today’s parents, compared to younger generations. According to an Impact Research poll commissioned by the organization last year, 58% of students ages 12 to 18 have used OpenAI’s viral AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT, while only 30% of parents of school-aged children have done so.
“Together, Common Sense and OpenAI will work to ensure that AI has a positive impact on all teens and families,” stated Steyer in an email. “Our guides and curation will educate families and educators about the safe and responsible use of ChatGPT and other OpenAI tools, so we can collectively prevent any unintended consequences of this emerging technology.”
OpenAI is under scrutiny from regulators to prove that its GenAI-powered apps, including ChatGPT, ultimately benefit society and do not cause harm. Last summer, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission launched an investigation into OpenAI for allegedly collecting data and spreading false information about individuals. European data authorities have also expressed concerns about the company’s handling of private information.
As with all GenAI tools, OpenAI’s products often generate inaccurate information and are biased, reflecting the data used to train them. However, children and teenagers are increasingly turning to them for help not only with schoolwork but also with personal issues. According to a poll by the Center for Democracy and Technology, 29% of kids have used ChatGPT to cope with anxiety or mental health issues, 22% for conflicts with friends, and 16% for family conflicts.
