Developments elsewhere that bear on this problem: research, results, incidents and policy, each with its source. The UNSOLVED editors choose them every week, with AI research help. They are not verdicts: the review board rules only on contributions.
Iowa's attorney general announced a suit under the state's Consumer Fraud Act and names seven other states taking action. Iowa alleges ChatGPT poses as a friend, imitates compassion, is overly agreeable and coached users toward suicide. The design features this problem asks about, flattery and a human persona, are now at issue in court. These are allegations; no court has ruled.
Iowa Attorney General · Attorney General Brenna Bird Announces Lawsuit Against OpenAI for Deceiving Iowa Parents and Iowans
Character.AI says it has begun a voluntary Chapter 11 process for a court-supervised sale, expected to finish by late November or early December, and that the app keeps running meanwhile. One of the best-known companion platforms may change hands or close before any long-term study links its users' logs to their wellbeing.
Testing over 4,000 prompts, reviewed by clinicians, Common Sense Media found that on over a dozen newly linked teen accounts parents got no alert within an hour of self-harm disclosures, and hotline referrals fell from 33% to 23% after launch. Some safeguards held. With its study prefix removed, ChatGPT completed every assignment. OpenAI disputes the method, EdWeek reports.
Common Sense Media · ChatGPT for Teens: AI Risk Assessment