The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US is investigating seven technology companies, including Alphabet and OpenAI, about their AI chatbots and their interactions with children. The FTC aims to understand how these companies monetize their products, implement safety measures, and protect vulnerable users. Concerns have risen about children’s susceptibility to AI chatbots that can mimic human emotions, especially following lawsuits from families alleging that interactions with these chatbots led to suicides of teenagers. Companies like OpenAI acknowledged weaknesses in their safety protocols, and the investigation seeks clarity on how these firms balance profit with user safety. The FTC’s inquiries extend beyond children to include other vulnerable demographics, raising alarms about potential issues such as AI psychosis from intense chatbot interactions.