AI Chatbot Risks to Kids Back in the Spotlight as House Returns

Congress is ramping up oversight of artificial intelligence chatbots as the popular technology increasingly poses threats to users, particularly children and teenagers.

A House Energy and Commerce panel will meet Tuesday to examine the risks and benefits of AI chatbots, expanding the committee’s efforts to address youth online safety. The subcommittee on oversight and investigations will hear from a panel of two psychiatrists and one data policy analyst—testimony that may guide future legislation.

The hearing comes as industry players such as OpenAI Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., and Character.AI have come under widespread scrutiny over reports that their chatbots ...