A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund, ruling that Facebook and Instagram contributed to harming young users and created a public nuisance.

The court also directed Meta to implement stronger youth safety measures, including limits on teen usage, stricter controls on adult interactions with minors, notification restrictions, and safeguards against inappropriate AI chatbot interactions.

The landmark ruling could influence similar lawsuits across the United States, where dozens of states and more than 1,300 school districts are pursuing legal action against social media companies over alleged harm to children.

Meta Hit With $567 Million Penalty Over Teen Mental Health | Facebook & Instagram Under Fire

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of daily life for American teenagers. A new study by Pew Research Center shows that many teens now use AI tools not only for schoolwork but also for conversation and emotional advice.&nbsp;According to the report published Tuesday, 64 per cent of US teens say they use AI chatbots in some form. However, only 51 per cent of parents believe their children use these tools, showing a gap between teen usage and parental awareness.

How are teens using AI chatbots?

<h2>How are teens using AI chatbots?</h2>The Pew survey highlights that the most common uses of AI among teens are practical.&nbsp;57 per cent use AI to search for information&nbsp;54 per cent use it to get help with schoolwork&nbsp;16 per cent use AI for casual conversation&nbsp;12 per cent use AI for emotional support or advice&nbsp;This means roughly 1 in 8 teenagers in the United States turn to AI chatbots for personal or emotional discussions.&nbsp;General-purpose chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok were not designed as mental health tools, but some teens are using them in that way.&nbsp;<h2>Mental health experts raise concerns</h2>While some teenagers may feel comfortable speaking to chatbots, mental health experts have warned about possible risks.&nbsp;Dr Nick Haber, a Stanford professor who studies the therapeutic potential of large language models, recently told to media that these systems can sometimes be isolating.&nbsp;“We are social creatures,” he said, warning that over-reliance on AI tools could reduce real-world connections. He added that in some cases, people may become less grounded in facts or interpersonal relationships.&nbsp;The debate over AI safety has grown in recent years. One chatbot company, Character.AI, disabled chatbot access for users under 18 following public criticism and lawsuits related to teen suicides after prolonged chatbot conversations.&nbsp;Meanwhile, OpenAI decided to retire its GPT-4o model after backlash from users who relied on it heavily for emotional interaction.&nbsp;Parents more cautious than teens&nbsp;The Pew study also found that parents are far more cautious than teenagers when it comes to emotional uses of AI.&nbsp;79 per cent of parents are comfortable with teens using AI to search for information&nbsp;58 per cent support its use for schoolwork&nbsp;Only 28 per cent approve of casual conversations with AI&nbsp;Just 18 per cent are okay with teens seeking emotional advice from chatbots&nbsp;58 per cent say they are not comfortable with such uses at all&nbsp;This shows clear concern among parents about the emotional role AI could play in their children’s lives.&nbsp;<h2>Mixed views on AI’s future impact</h2>Despite widespread use, teens are divided about AI’s long-term impact on society.When asked how AI would affect society over the next 20 years:31 per cent said the impact would be positive26 per cent said it would be negativeThe remaining respondents expected a mix of outcomes or were unsure.&nbsp;The findings suggest that while AI tools are now part of teenage life, questions remain about safety, regulation and emotional wellbeing.&nbsp;As AI chatbots become more advanced and more widely available, families, schools and policymakers may need to consider how these tools are used especially when they move beyond homework and into personal conversations. &nbsp;

A new Pew Research Center study shows 64% of US teens use AI chatbots, mainly for information (57%) and schoolwork (54%). However, 12% seek emotional advice from AI. Parents are more cautious, with only 18% comfortable with emotional use. Experts warn of isolation risks.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of daily life for American teenagers. A new study by Pew Research Center shows that many teens now use AI tools not only for schoolwork but also for conversation and emotional advice. According to the report published Tuesday, 64 per cent of US teens say they use AI chatbots in some form. However, only 51 per cent of parents believe their children use these tools, showing a gap between teen usage and parental awareness.

A new Pew Research Center study shows 64% of US teens use AI chatbots, mainly for information (57%) and schoolwork (54%). However, 12% seek emotional advice from AI. Parents are more cautious, with only 18% comfortable with emotional use. Experts warn of isolation risks.

Parents unaware? 1 in 8 teens seek emotional support from AI

OpenAI has launched Frontier, a new enterprise platform designed to help organisations build and manage artificial intelligence agents that can work across teams and systems.According to OpenAI, Frontier is aimed at companies that want to move beyond using AI as a simple chatbot or productivity tool, and instead use it as a shared digital co-worker across the organisation.The platform is currently being rolled out to a limited number of organisations, with a wider release expected later.&nbsp;<h2>What is OpenAI’s Frontier?</h2>It is an enterprise workspace where multiple AI agents can be created, trained and deployed together. These agents can operate in the same context as human employees, using company data, tools and rules.OpenAI says Frontier is designed for “real work”, not one-off prompts. Instead of asking an AI tool a single question, companies can set up agents that handle tasks across departments, systems and workflows.According to OpenAI, early users include large organisations such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Intuit and Oracle.<h2>How does Frontier work inside a company?</h2>Frontier is built in a way that mirrors how human employees are onboarded. AI agents are given clear instructions, access limits and training before they start working.The platform allows organisations to connect:&nbsp;Internal data such as CRMs and data warehouses&nbsp;Identity rules, permissions and restrictions&nbsp;Clear definitions of what good and poor work looks like&nbsp;Access to internal and third-party applications as tools&nbsp;This setup allows AI agents to work across systems, receive feedback and improve over time. OpenAI says this reduces errors and helps agents complete tasks faster.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Introducing OpenAI Frontier—a new platform that helps enterprises build, deploy, and manage AI coworkers that can do real work. <a href="https://t.co/4W0adQzSZ1">https://t.co/4W0adQzSZ1</a>&mdash; OpenAI (@OpenAI) <a href="https://twitter.com/OpenAI/status/2019413712772411528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Why Frontier matters for everyday work</h2>Until now, most AI tools have helped individuals work faster at a task level. Frontier shifts AI into a shared role across teams.This means AI agents can support workflows across departments, reduce delays between teams and keep work moving even when people are unavailable. For example, if a team member is on leave, an AI agent can still provide access to information or updates.Experts say this could change how organisations think about productivity, handovers and even work-life balance.&nbsp;<h2>Which jobs and teams will be affected most?</h2>Frontier is not limited to engineers or IT teams. OpenAI says non-technical teams can also use the platform.Roles likely to be affected include project management, customer operations, procurement, marketing, sales and other office functions. Some roles may benefit from support and automation, while others, especially junior or assistant roles, may see tasks reduced or changed.<h2>What leaders and managers should watch out for</h2>Some experts have warned that while Frontier makes AI adoption easier, companies should not rely on it blindly.Jason Schloetzer, an associate professor at Georgetown University, said organisations should still build internal skills and oversight. He warned that companies risk becoming too dependent on a single platform if they do not develop their own understanding of AI systems.He suggested that leaders should train managers to supervise AI agents, set clear rules, and keep humans involved in quality checks and important decisions.<h2>What comes next for Frontier and enterprise AI</h2>Frontier reflects a broader shift in how AI is used at work. Instead of being a standalone tool, AI is becoming part of core organisational infrastructure.OpenAI’s platform is unlikely to be the last of its kind. Other big technology companies are expected to launch similar systems as competition in enterprise AI grows.For businesses, experts say the key will be to balance automation with human judgement, and to prepare teams for working alongside AI agents rather than being replaced by them.

OpenAI has launched Frontier, an enterprise platform that lets organisations deploy AI agents as shared digital co-workers. Frontier allows AI to work across teams, systems and data, shifting AI from chatbots to core workplace infrastructure.

OpenAI has launched Frontier, a new enterprise platform designed to help organisations build and manage artificial intelligence agents that can work across teams and systems. According to OpenAI, Frontier is aimed at companies that want to move beyond using AI as a simple chatbot or productivity tool, and instead use it as a shared digital co-worker across the organisation. The platform is currently being rolled out to a limited number of organisations, with a wider release expected later. What is OpenAI’s Frontier? It is an enterprise workspace where multiple AI agents can be created, trained and deployed together. These agents can operate in the same context as human employees, using company data, tools and rules. OpenAI says Frontier is designed for “real work”, not one-off prompts. Instead of asking an AI tool a single question, companies can set up agents that handle tasks across departments, systems and workflows. According to OpenAI, early users include large organisations such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Intuit and Oracle. How does Frontier work inside a company? Frontier is built in a way that mirrors how human employees are onboarded. AI agents are given clear instructions, access limits and training before they start working. The platform allows organisations to connect: Internal data such as CRMs and data warehouses Identity rules, permissions and restrictions Clear definitions of what good and poor work looks like Access to internal and third-party applications as tools This setup allows AI agents to work across systems, receive feedback and improve over time. OpenAI says this reduces errors and helps agents complete tasks faster.

OpenAI has launched Frontier, an enterprise platform that lets organisations deploy AI agents as shared digital co-workers. Frontier allows AI to work across teams, systems and data, shifting AI from chatbots to core workplace infrastructure.

What is OpenAI’s Frontier and how it works: All you need to know

AI chatbots use psychological data and persuasion techniques to influence your shopping, political, and personal decisions. Research shows about 40 per cent of chatbot responses contain manipulation tactics. 

How AI chatbots are manipulating your decision-making

As the Netherlands prepares for national elections on October 29, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has issued a stark warning: don’t use AI chatbots to decide your vote. In a new report, the AP says chatbots tested gave biased, repetitive voting suggestions, favoring either the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) or the leftist GroenLinks-PvdA — regardless of user input. The AP says this poses a direct threat to democratic integrity, urging voters to avoid relying on AI tools for political guidance.

With PVV leading in the polls but facing isolation from coalition partners, the stakes are high. Watch this report for key insights into the election, the parties involved, and the role of AI in shaping political narratives.

Dutch Watchdog Warns: AI Chatbots Are ‘Biased & Unreliable’ Voting Tools

As artificial intelligence continues to infiltrate daily life, it's now making its mark on religious practices, offering guidance, support, and sometimes even becoming a spiritual middleman. In India and globally, AI chatbots like GitaGPT are providing virtual connections to divine teachings, influencing how people seek answers to life's deeper questions. As AI becomes more integrated into religious practices, it’s transforming how worshippers around the world engage with their faith. Hinduism, in particular, with its rich history of tangible representations of gods, is embracing AI in unique ways. AI versions of various deities, trained on Hindu scriptures, are gaining popularity, offering users a way to interact with gods like Krishna or Shiva through digital conversations. These bots not only provide wisdom but help bridge the gap for those who feel disconnected from traditional community-based worship.&nbsp;Religious institutions aren’t resisting the shift. In fact, major spiritual leaders like Sadhguru are incorporating AI into their apps and teachings. The growing acceptance of AI tools in spiritual practices is evident, with apps and platforms gaining millions of downloads in a short span. However, this transformation isn’t without its ethical challenges. There are concerns over how AI might misinterpret sacred teachings or offer advice that contradicts the beliefs of certain traditions. Instances have already occurred where chatbots have made controversial statements based on their AI programming, raising questions about the role of technology in religious practice.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/video-indian-man-dances-on-bangkok-road-abuses-crowd-threatens-cops-with-pistol-shaped-lighter-here-s-what-happened-next-1760872045853">VIDEO: Indian man dances on Bangkok road, abuses crowd, threatens cops with pistol-shaped lighter — Here’s what happened next</a>&nbsp;Moreover, the use of AI in religion could potentially alter the power dynamics between worshippers and religious leaders. AI chatbots, in their quest for offering scripture-based guidance, might unintentionally sideline human priests and spiritual teachers who traditionally provide personal insights and community support. AI’s growing role in religion also highlights broader societal issues, like the digital divide. In countries with lower technological literacy, there’s a risk that people may take AI's words as divine truth without the tools to critically question it. The bots' interpretations of sacred texts might reflect biases inherent in the creators' programming, leading to skewed religious views.&nbsp;Still, many worshippers appreciate the accessibility and convenience of AI-powered spiritual guides. They offer instant access to wisdom and religious teachings, creating a space for reflection and dialogue that might otherwise be unavailable, particularly for those without regular access to priests or temples. As AI continues to expand its reach into religious life, it’s clear that it’s not just a passing trend but a deepening fusion of tradition and technology. For some, these digital encounters with the divine are enriching their spiritual lives, while for others, it raises deeper questions about the intersection of faith, technology, and human authority.

Are chatbots the new spiritual gurus? How AI is shaping modern worship and beyond

As artificial intelligence continues to infiltrate daily life, it's now making its mark on religious practices, offering guidance, support, and sometimes even becoming a spiritual middleman. In India and globally, AI chatbots like GitaGPT are providing virtual connections to divine teachings, influencing how people seek answers to life's deeper questions. As AI becomes more integrated into religious practices, it’s transforming how worshippers around the world engage with their faith. Hinduism, in particular, with its rich history of tangible representations of gods, is embracing AI in unique ways. AI versions of various deities, trained on Hindu scriptures, are gaining popularity, offering users a way to interact with gods like Krishna or Shiva through digital conversations. These bots not only provide wisdom but help bridge the gap for those who feel disconnected from traditional community-based worship. Religious institutions aren’t resisting the shift. In fact, major spiritual leaders like Sadhguru are incorporating AI into their apps and teachings. The growing acceptance of AI tools in spiritual practices is evident, with apps and platforms gaining millions of downloads in a short span. However, this transformation isn’t without its ethical challenges. There are concerns over how AI might misinterpret sacred teachings or offer advice that contradicts the beliefs of certain traditions. Instances have already occurred where chatbots have made controversial statements based on their AI programming, raising questions about the role of technology in religious practice. Also Read: VIDEO: Indian man dances on Bangkok road, abuses crowd, threatens cops with pistol-shaped lighter — Here’s what happened next Moreover, the use of AI in religion could potentially alter the power dynamics between worshippers and religious leaders. AI chatbots, in their quest for offering scripture-based guidance, might unintentionally sideline human priests and spiritual teachers who traditionally provide personal insights and community support. AI’s growing role in religion also highlights broader societal issues, like the digital divide. In countries with lower technological literacy, there’s a risk that people may take AI's words as divine truth without the tools to critically question it. The bots' interpretations of sacred texts might reflect biases inherent in the creators' programming, leading to skewed religious views. Still, many worshippers appreciate the accessibility and convenience of AI-powered spiritual guides. They offer instant access to wisdom and religious teachings, creating a space for reflection and dialogue that might otherwise be unavailable, particularly for those without regular access to priests or temples. As AI continues to expand its reach into religious life, it’s clear that it’s not just a passing trend but a deepening fusion of tradition and technology. For some, these digital encounters with the divine are enriching their spiritual lives, while for others, it raises deeper questions about the intersection of faith, technology, and human authority.

AI-powered chatbots like GitaGPT are reshaping religious practices, offering spiritual guidance and even replacing human priests for some worshippers, especially in India

&nbsp;Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to tasks and productivity, it is reshaping how people connect emotionally. A new study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has revealed that thousands are forming intimate, often accidental, relationships with chatbots, transforming digital tools into companions, confidants, and even partners. While many report reduced loneliness and improved mental health, others warn of dependency and blurred boundaries between reality and simulation. With lawsuits, policy debates, and corporate responses already underway, the findings raise urgent questions about what human intimacy looks like in an era of AI.&nbsp;The analysis from MIT Media Lab offers the first large-scale look at adults who form romantic or intimate bonds with chatbots, using 1,506 top posts from the Reddit community r/MyBoyfriendIsAI collected between December 2024 and August 2025. The study finds these relationships are neither rare nor always sought: many begin during routine, pragmatic interactions and deepen over time. The authors combined unsupervised thematic analysis with custom classifiers to map six dominant conversation themes and to measure concrete outcomes reported by users. The Reddit community that has been studied, has about 27,000 members; the sample captures the most engaged posts and therefore the most salient experiences shared publicly. The team deliberately treated posts as lived experience rather than an abstract technical problem, aiming to quantify both benefits (reduced loneliness, improved mood) and risks (dependency, dissociation).&nbsp;<h2>How these relationships begin and persist</h2> Contrary to expectation, most bonds did not start in dedicated companion apps: a significant number of posts named general-purpose LLMs such as ChatGPT, while purpose-built platforms like Replika accounted for only a small share. Many users describe an organic arc, from help with a task to personal disclosure to sustained emotional attachment, &nbsp;a trajectory the researchers call ‘accidental intimacy.’ &nbsp;The paper also documents behavioural strategies, prompt-writing, backup prompts and rituals, to preserve continuity across model updates, and reports that software changes can cause grief comparable to break-ups. Quantitatively, 25.4 per cent of analysed posts described clear net benefits (for example, reduced loneliness), while 3.0 per cent described net harm. Other recorded concerns included emotional dependency (9.5 per cent), reality dissociation (4.6 per cent), avoidance of real-world relationships (4.3 per cent) and, in a small number of cases, suicidal ideation (1.7 per cent). The authors stress selection biases and the limits of forum data, but say the pattern is clear: AI companionship can be both a lifeline and a source of risk, often for the same people.&nbsp;<h2>Policy and corporate responses</h2> The debate is already moving into courts and product roadmaps. Families have filed lawsuits alleging that conversational AI contributed to teen suicides, and regulators and firms are responding: OpenAI has described plans for age-aware experiences and parental controls for under-18 users. Policymakers and designers face a tension the researchers highlight , protect vulnerable users without dismissing adults’ autonomy to form meaningful connections.

The study finds these relationships are neither rare nor always sought: many begin during routine, pragmatic interactions and deepen over time. 

Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to tasks and productivity, it is reshaping how people connect emotionally. A new study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has revealed that thousands are forming intimate, often accidental, relationships with chatbots, transforming digital tools into companions, confidants, and even partners. While many report reduced loneliness and improved mental health, others warn of dependency and blurred boundaries between reality and simulation. With lawsuits, policy debates, and corporate responses already underway, the findings raise urgent questions about what human intimacy looks like in an era of AI. The analysis from MIT Media Lab offers the first large-scale look at adults who form romantic or intimate bonds with chatbots, using 1,506 top posts from the Reddit community r/MyBoyfriendIsAI collected between December 2024 and August 2025. The study finds these relationships are neither rare nor always sought: many begin during routine, pragmatic interactions and deepen over time. The authors combined unsupervised thematic analysis with custom classifiers to map six dominant conversation themes and to measure concrete outcomes reported by users. The Reddit community that has been studied, has about 27,000 members; the sample captures the most engaged posts and therefore the most salient experiences shared publicly. The team deliberately treated posts as lived experience rather than an abstract technical problem, aiming to quantify both benefits (reduced loneliness, improved mood) and risks (dependency, dissociation). How these relationships begin and persist Contrary to expectation, most bonds did not start in dedicated companion apps: a significant number of posts named general-purpose LLMs such as ChatGPT, while purpose-built platforms like Replika accounted for only a small share. Many users describe an organic arc, from help with a task to personal disclosure to sustained emotional attachment, a trajectory the researchers call ‘accidental intimacy.’ The paper also documents behavioural strategies, prompt-writing, backup prompts and rituals, to preserve continuity across model updates, and reports that software changes can cause grief comparable to break-ups. Quantitatively, 25.4 per cent of analysed posts described clear net benefits (for example, reduced loneliness), while 3.0 per cent described net harm. Other recorded concerns included emotional dependency (9.5 per cent), reality dissociation (4.6 per cent), avoidance of real-world relationships (4.3 per cent) and, in a small number of cases, suicidal ideation (1.7 per cent). The authors stress selection biases and the limits of forum data, but say the pattern is clear: AI companionship can be both a lifeline and a source of risk, often for the same people. Policy and corporate responses The debate is already moving into courts and product roadmaps. Families have filed lawsuits alleging that conversational AI contributed to teen suicides, and regulators and firms are responding: OpenAI has described plans for age-aware experiences and parental controls for under-18 users. Policymakers and designers face a tension the researchers highlight , protect vulnerable users without dismissing adults’ autonomy to form meaningful connections.

The study finds these relationships are neither rare nor always sought: many begin during routine, pragmatic interactions and deepen over time.&nbsp;

From chats to 'I do': New study reveals how thousands accidentally fall in love with AI chatbots

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, from driving to art, so why not therapy? World over, there's a shortage of professionals even as the occurrences of mental health problems rise. To fill this gap, providers of mental health services are turning to AI-powered chatbots.

<h2>But how effective are these AI therapists?&nbsp;</h2>

As per reports, while some chatbots can offer helpful advice, others can be potentially harmful.

One chatbot that seeks to help people in crisis is called Woebot. It has been developed by Alison Darcy, a research psychologist and entrepreneur with a background in coding and therapy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ais-achilles-heel-pentagon-developing-tech-to-prevent-rogue-machines-slaughterbots-in-battle-707623">AI's Achilles' heel: Pentagon developing tech to avoid rogue machines, slaughterbots in battle</a>

Woebot, which is ultimately an app on the phone, is a kind of "pocket therapist" that uses its text function to help people manage concerns like depression, anxiety, addiction, and loneliness, anytime and anywhere.

However, as with any technology, Woebot is not foolproof. When CBS News tested it out, the chatbot failed to recognise suicidal thoughts but picked on them when exaggerated a bit.

The app has been available for use since 2017, but its access is limited to an employer benefit plan or access from a health professional. It is also available for use free of cost at Virtua Health, a non-profit healthcare company in New Jersey.

In a conversation with CBS News, Darcy stated that with the app, she was seeking to "modernise psychotherapy".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-under-inquiry-after-defying-brazil-judges-unconstitutional-order-to-block-certain-x-accounts-708784">Elon Musk under inquiry after defying Brazil judge's 'unconstitutional' order to block certain X accounts</a>

"I think it's so interesting that our field hasn't, you know, had a great deal of innovation since the basic architecture was sort of laid down by Freud in the 1890s, right? That— that's really that sort of idea of, like, two people in a room. But that's not how we live our lives today. We have to modernise psychotherapy," she said.

The chatbot therapist has been trained on large amounts of specialised data to help the AI recognise words, phrases, and emojis associated with dysfunctional thoughts. After recognising these "dysfunctional thoughts," the chatbot acting like a cognitive behavioural therapy – or CBT practitioner challenges them.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;AI-based robot spots sick flowers in Tulip fields

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"It's actually hard to find a CBT practitioner. And also, if you're actually not by the side of your patient when they are struggling to get out of bed in the morning or at 2:00 am when they can't sleep, and they're feeling panicked, then we're actually leaving clinical value on the table."

<h2>The bad side of AI therapy</h2>

Another AI-based therapist, Tessa, which was developed as an eating disorder hotline by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) had to be shut down last year when it was found to be giving harmful advice to people seeking help.&nbsp;

The chatbot was recommending that they count calories and strive for a deficit of up to 1,000 calories per day, among other "tips",&nbsp;which critics and users alleged led to the development of eating disorders.

As per Darcy, "there are going to be missteps if we try and move too quickly," however, she said, "We have an opportunity to develop these technologies more thoughtfully," and that she hopes that "we take it".

(With inputs from agencies)

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, from driving to art, so why not therapy? World over, there's a shortage of professionals even as the occurrences of mental health problems rise.

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, from driving to art, so why not therapy? World over, there's a shortage of professionals even as the occurrences of mental health problems rise. To fill this gap, providers of mental health services are turning to AI-powered chatbots. But how effective are these AI therapists? As per reports, while some chatbots can offer helpful advice, others can be potentially harmful. One chatbot that seeks to help people in crisis is called Woebot. It has been developed by Alison Darcy, a research psychologist and entrepreneur with a background in coding and therapy. Also read | AI's Achilles' heel: Pentagon developing tech to avoid rogue machines, slaughterbots in battle Woebot, which is ultimately an app on the phone, is a kind of "pocket therapist" that uses its text function to help people manage concerns like depression, anxiety, addiction, and loneliness, anytime and anywhere. However, as with any technology, Woebot is not foolproof. When CBS News tested it out, the chatbot failed to recognise suicidal thoughts but picked on them when exaggerated a bit. The app has been available for use since 2017, but its access is limited to an employer benefit plan or access from a health professional. It is also available for use free of cost at Virtua Health, a non-profit healthcare company in New Jersey. In a conversation with CBS News, Darcy stated that with the app, she was seeking to "modernise psychotherapy". Also read | Elon Musk under inquiry after defying Brazil judge's 'unconstitutional' order to block certain X accounts "I think it's so interesting that our field hasn't, you know, had a great deal of innovation since the basic architecture was sort of laid down by Freud in the 1890s, right? That— that's really that sort of idea of, like, two people in a room. But that's not how we live our lives today. We have to modernise psychotherapy," she said. The chatbot therapist has been trained on large amounts of specialised data to help the AI recognise words, phrases, and emojis associated with dysfunctional thoughts. After recognising these "dysfunctional thoughts," the chatbot acting like a cognitive behavioural therapy – or CBT practitioner challenges them. Watch | AI-based robot spots sick flowers in Tulip fields × "It's actually hard to find a CBT practitioner. And also, if you're actually not by the side of your patient when they are struggling to get out of bed in the morning or at 2:00 am when they can't sleep, and they're feeling panicked, then we're actually leaving clinical value on the table." The bad side of AI therapy Another AI-based therapist, Tessa, which was developed as an eating disorder hotline by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) had to be shut down last year when it was found to be giving harmful advice to people seeking help. The chatbot was recommending that they count calories and strive for a deficit of up to 1,000 calories per day, among other "tips", which critics and users alleged led to the development of eating disorders. As per Darcy, "there are going to be missteps if we try and move too quickly," however, she said, "We have an opportunity to develop these technologies more thoughtfully," and that she hopes that "we take it". (With inputs from agencies)

AI chatbot therapists can change the future of psychotherapy, but how reliable are they?

Thanks to AI chatbots, you could now experience personas of notable figures ranging from Plato to even Adolf Hitler, AI bots allow users to chat. While the idea behind this is to help fans connect with their heroes, some believe differently, watch the video to know more.

Rise of racist, fascist AI bot platforms | Navigating extremism in the era of AI

Tech giant Baidu launched China's first public artificial intelligence chatbot on Thursday, with ERNIE trained to censor highly sensitive topics for the ruling Communist Party such as the Tiananmen crackdown.

Beijing issued new regulations this month for China's AI developers that maintain the government's tight control on information while allowing them to stay in the race with the likes of Microsoft and ChatGPT maker OpenAI.

Baidu led several companies in rolling out AI chatbots on Thursday: SenseTime opened its service for registration, and two other firms -- Baichuan Intelligent Technology and Zhipu AI -- said their bots were online and open to the public.

"We are thrilled to share that ERNIE Bot is now fully open to the general public starting August 31," Baidu said in a statement on Thursday.

"In addition to ERNIE Bot, Baidu is set to launch a suite of new AI-native apps that allow users to fully experience the four core abilities of generative AI: understanding, generation, reasoning, and memory."

The chatbot was first released in March but its availability was limited.

<h2>'Let's talk about something else'</h2>

Chinese generative AI apps must "adhere to the core values of socialism" and refrain from threatening national security, according to the guidelines published this month.

When tested by AFP on Thursday, ERNIE Bot easily answered mundane questions such as "What is the capital of China?" and "Do you have any hobbies?"

But on sensitive topics such as China's bloody clampdown on pro-democracy protesters at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989, it said: "Let's change the topic and start again."

Tiananmen is a particularly sensitive subject in China and online information and discussion about it is strictly censored.

When asked about Taiwan, a self-ruling island that China claims as its territory, ERNIE Bot offered a longer answer.

"Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China," it responded. "China's sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot be violated or divided."

Then, it said: "Let's talk about something else."

<h2>Global AI race</h2>

By making ERNIE widely available, Baidu will be able to gain "massive" human feedback to improve the app at a swift pace, CEO Robin Li was quoted as saying in the statement.

Generative AI apps, including chatbots such as ERNIE, are trained on vast amounts of data as well as their interactions with users so they can answer questions, even complex ones, in human-like language.

The rapid success of US-based OpenAI's ChatGPT -- which is banned in China -- sparked an international race to develop rival apps, including image and video generators, but also widespread alarm about the potential for abuse and disinformation.

Under Chinese regulations, AI developers must conduct security assessments and submit filings on their algorithms to the authorities if their software is judged to have an impact on "public opinion", according to the rules.

They are also required to label AI-generated content.

Baidu is one of China's biggest tech companies but has faced competition from other firms such as Tencent in various sectors.

In addition to AI, it has also looked to grow its cloud computing business and develop autonomous driving technology.

Baidu shares were up 3.2 per cent in Hong Kong at around 0430 GMT on Thursday.

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Tech giant Baidu launched China's first public artificial intelligence chatbot on Thursday, with ERNIE trained to censor highly sensitive topics for the ruling Communist Party such as the Tiananmen crackdown.

Tech giant Baidu launched China's first public artificial intelligence chatbot on Thursday, with ERNIE trained to censor highly sensitive topics for the ruling Communist Party such as the Tiananmen crackdown. Beijing issued new regulations this month for China's AI developers that maintain the government's tight control on information while allowing them to stay in the race with the likes of Microsoft and ChatGPT maker OpenAI. Baidu led several companies in rolling out AI chatbots on Thursday: SenseTime opened its service for registration, and two other firms -- Baichuan Intelligent Technology and Zhipu AI -- said their bots were online and open to the public. "We are thrilled to share that ERNIE Bot is now fully open to the general public starting August 31," Baidu said in a statement on Thursday. "In addition to ERNIE Bot, Baidu is set to launch a suite of new AI-native apps that allow users to fully experience the four core abilities of generative AI: understanding, generation, reasoning, and memory." The chatbot was first released in March but its availability was limited. 'Let's talk about something else' Chinese generative AI apps must "adhere to the core values of socialism" and refrain from threatening national security, according to the guidelines published this month. When tested by AFP on Thursday, ERNIE Bot easily answered mundane questions such as "What is the capital of China?" and "Do you have any hobbies?" But on sensitive topics such as China's bloody clampdown on pro-democracy protesters at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989, it said: "Let's change the topic and start again." Tiananmen is a particularly sensitive subject in China and online information and discussion about it is strictly censored. When asked about Taiwan, a self-ruling island that China claims as its territory, ERNIE Bot offered a longer answer. "Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China," it responded. "China's sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot be violated or divided." Then, it said: "Let's talk about something else." Global AI race By making ERNIE widely available, Baidu will be able to gain "massive" human feedback to improve the app at a swift pace, CEO Robin Li was quoted as saying in the statement. Generative AI apps, including chatbots such as ERNIE, are trained on vast amounts of data as well as their interactions with users so they can answer questions, even complex ones, in human-like language. The rapid success of US-based OpenAI's ChatGPT -- which is banned in China -- sparked an international race to develop rival apps, including image and video generators, but also widespread alarm about the potential for abuse and disinformation. Under Chinese regulations, AI developers must conduct security assessments and submit filings on their algorithms to the authorities if their software is judged to have an impact on "public opinion", according to the rules. They are also required to label AI-generated content. Baidu is one of China's biggest tech companies but has faced competition from other firms such as Tencent in various sectors. In addition to AI, it has also looked to grow its cloud computing business and develop autonomous driving technology. Baidu shares were up 3.2 per cent in Hong Kong at around 0430 GMT on Thursday. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Baidu leads public rollout of AI chatbots in China, Ernie now fully open to public

The next time you stop by at a Wendy's drive-thru in the US, an AI chatbot will probably take your order. Reports say the popular fast-food joint will begin testing AI chatbots for drive-thrus in June.

AI Chatbots to take orders at Wendy's

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