Consumer protection bodies urged to investigate AI chatbots like ChatGPT
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has expressed concern about Microsoft-backed Open AI’s ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence chatbots. They have urged EU consumer protection agencies to investigate the technology and the potential harm to individuals. As ChatGPT grows in popularity, other companies like Google, AWS, and Meta Platforms have announced similar tools.
In a letter to the network of consumer protection authorities and the European Commission, BEUC has set out the risks involved in using AI chatbots. The lobby group stated that the content produced by chatbots appears reliable but often contains factually incorrect information that can deceive consumers and lead to false advertising. Younger and vulnerable consumers are at higher risk.
BEUC has called for an urgent investigation into the risks posed by these AI systems and to identify their presence in consumer markets. They also called on the Consumer Safety Network to initiate an exchange of information and an investigation into the safety risks of these products.
