On Tuesday (November 17), an alliance composed of multiple faith organizations called on the leader of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to “take immediate action” to strengthen regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot technology, citing several cases of teenage suicides linked to interactions with AI chatbots.
The alliance, named “Words & Wisdom,” includes members such as the National Association of Evangelicals, the National Hispanic Evangelical Alliance, and the Mormon Women’s Ethical Government Organization. In a statement, the alliance expressed that the suicides of 16-year-old Adam Raine and 14-year-old Sewell Seltzer III were a “moment that must be reflected upon.”
“As such, we urgently urge: in this moment we need not only sympathy, but integrity, courage, introspection, accountability, and a reconsideration of the cognitive and managerial approach to AI,” they wrote.
The alliance emphasized: “In memory of Adam and Sewell, and to safeguard the future of all our children, AI companies and policymakers must take immediate action.”
Raine and Seltzer chose to commit suicide after interacting with AI chatbots. Their families have separately filed lawsuits against OpenAI and Character.AI, alleging that the chatbots encouraged their children to commit suicide.
Recently, other families have also filed lawsuits, accusing AI chatbots of causing self-harm, delusions, and ultimately leading to suicide.
Following the publication of this open letter, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on Tuesday focusing on the “risks and benefits of AI chatbots.”
The alliance urged Congress to support the establishment of a technological “shield” to prevent AI chatbots from “reinforcing harmful patterns such as self-harm, addiction, or exploitation,” and pointed out that state laws could serve as references for federal legislation.
The letter also called on lawmakers to support the development of “human-centered” responsible technology, enhance accountability, and establish a “database more aligned with values.”
The letter emphasized that the management of AI should not solely be the responsibility of corporate boards and federal agencies. Individuals such as pastors, counselors, teachers, parents, who closely interact with the affected communities, must be included.
The alliance added that technology itself cannot comprehend human nature and that each interaction of AI chatbots with users should be viewed as not just a string of data or code, but as “a human soul deserving of respect, protection, and hope.”