'They are outright lying and it is very ...', say upset parents as they find OpenAI funding 'Parents & Kids Safe AI Coalition' that they have been working with

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is reportedly facing criticism from parents and child safety groups after members found out that the AI company is funding a coalition they have been working with. According to a report by the San Francisco Standard, several groups have found out that OpenAI was behind the Parents & Kids Safe AI Coalition. Some leaders expressed concern over how the coalition was presented, with one saying, “I don’t want to say they’re outright lying, but they’re sending emails that are pretty misleading.” The issue has raised questions about transparency as OpenAI pushes for child safety rules around AI.As per the report, the coalition reached out to various child safety organisations in March, asking them to support policy ideas such as age checks and limits on ads targeting children. However, many emails did not clearly state that OpenAI was funding the initiative.Some group leaders said they only discovered OpenAI’s involvement after the coalition was publicly announced. At least two members later left the group. One nonprofit leader told the publication, “It’s a very grimy feeling,” adding concerns about how the outreach was handled.The report said the coalition’s proposals are similar to a child safety bill backed by OpenAI in California. The company is working to get support for these rules as more states look to regulate AI use by children.In a statement shared with the San Francisco Standard, coalition members and an OpenAI executive said they are “fighting for the strongest child AI safety law in the nation.”Some advocacy groups chose not to join the coalition due to OpenAI’s involvement. Josh Golin of FairPlay said, “I want them to get out of the way and let advocates and parents… pass the legislation they think is best for kids.”The report also noted that OpenAI has faced legal and policy pressure over how its products are used by young users, as debates over AI regulation continue in the US.