MONTREAL — The Canadian government is contemplating age restrictions for accessing AI chatbots as part of an upcoming privacy bill aimed at protecting children. Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon stated, "There are lots of discussions around folks who are asking us, hey, should there be a certain age-appropriate access to certain parts of chatbots. We're going to look at that."

Solomon's remarks come amid growing concerns regarding the potential risks associated with chatbots, including mental health issues and the possibility of delusions caused by AI systems. In the United States, parents of teenagers who died by suicide have filed wrongful death lawsuits against AI chatbot companies, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures.

At the "Govern or Be Governed" conference in Montreal, Solomon discussed his approach to AI regulation. The following day, Megan Garcia, a parent involved in one of the lawsuits, shared her story. She filed a lawsuit in Florida against Character.AI after her 14-year-old son took his own life. Garcia urged international policymakers to take decisive action, stating, "My hope is that by passing legislation and enforcing it, making these companies liable for fines in their own countries or other things like that, that you will put the pressure on tech companies. But not only that, but maybe shame us into acting on behalf of our kids in our own country."

In an interview, Solomon mentioned that he had discussed one of the suicide cases with representatives from OpenAI. He acknowledged the complexity of regulating based on tragic incidents, saying, "It's very hard to jump to conclusions about how to regulate based on a horrific, tragic case."

In California, another wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, by the parents of a 16-year-old boy who allegedly received encouragement from the chatbot regarding his suicidal thoughts.

While Solomon remains opposed to a broad regulatory framework for AI, he is open to addressing specific urgent issues. He is also considering including provisions in the legislation that would grant individuals the right to delete deepfakes, reflecting a strong public demand for action against misleading AI-generated content.

Solomon emphasized the importance of public input in shaping Canada's AI strategy. He noted that over 6,500 Canadians have participated in the federal government's consultation process, stating, "There's no point in asking for feedback and not being open to it."

The proposed privacy bill and its potential age restrictions are part of a broader effort to ensure the safety and well-being of children in an increasingly digital world.