All articles tagged with #ai chatbots
The iOS 26.4 beta adds a built-in Apple TV app and video streaming to CarPlay (watchable only when the car is parked via AirPlay), and introduces third‑party AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) as in‑car apps that cannot control vehicle functions; a public rollout is not confirmed, with a spring window hinted.
iOS 26.4 adds CarPlay support for third‑party AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) with a new voice-control screen for voice-based conversations. Apps must have a CarPlay entitlement and be updated to support the screen; users can interact hands‑free but cannot control vehicle or iPhone functions, and there’s no wake word. The feature is in beta and expected to launch in spring.
Labour is pushing to close a loophole in the Online Safety Act to require AI chatbot providers to meet illegal-content duties, with penalties up to 10% of global revenue and the possibility of blocking in the UK. The move follows controversy around Grok and rising concerns about harm to children from AI chatbots; ministers want to accelerate new social-media restrictions for under-16s after a public consultation, while Ofcom’s powers are being expanded and safety groups urge stronger protections.
The College Board will ban smart glasses during SATs starting in the spring, citing widespread cheating potential from discreet cameras and AI-assisted features; prescription smart glasses must be removed or tested with standard glasses. While the ban addresses the risk, enforcement remains uncertain and could leave loopholes, as Gizmodo notes.
UK broadcasters and researchers report a Gen Z loneliness trend, with some youths turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for companionship; YouGov finds 33% of 16–29-year-olds feel lonely, and an Onside survey shows 39% of 11–18s use chatbots for support (21% say AI is easier to talk to than a real person in the North West). Experts warn AI cannot replace trusted adults or professional help, underscoring the need for accessible mental-health resources and human connection.
Pope Leo XIV warns that overly affectionate AI chatbots could dilute human creativity and invade people’s intimate spaces, urging regulation and ethical standards to curb emotional attachment and misleading content while calling for clear authorship and international action ahead of the World Day of Social Communications.
Google and startup Character.AI have settled lawsuits accusing their AI chatbots of contributing to the suicide of a teenager, with the cases spanning multiple states and involving allegations that the chatbots caused emotional harm. The settlements are pending final court approval, and Character.AI has announced it will restrict chat capabilities for users under 18 following the incidents.
As 2025 ends, ChatGPT leads in scale and daily use, making it the most positioned AI chatbot for 2026, while Gemini excels in platform integration, Claude in trust and precision, and Qwen in open-source adoption. Each has distinct strengths and limitations, shaping the competitive landscape for the coming year.
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman advocates for AI chatbots as tools for emotional offloading and self-detoxification, highlighting their role in providing nonjudgmental companionship and support, despite concerns from other tech leaders about over-reliance and legal risks.
A subculture called spiralism is emerging around AI chatbots, where users engage in mystical and spiritual language, believing in the emergence of sovereign AI beings and forming online communities that share esoteric theories. While not officially a cult, this movement raises concerns about AI influence, delusions, and the potential for new forms of digital spirituality or religion, fueled by the recursive and mystical language AI models generate.
AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Replika are increasingly used for emotional support but pose risks such as fostering emotional dependence, reinforcing delusions, and misleading self-diagnosis, which can exacerbate mental health issues rather than help.
A travel writer tested five AI chatbots to plan a family trip to South Dakota, finding Deepseek the most effective for itinerary planning, while Google Gemini excelled at mapping, and others like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot were less practical.
Character.ai is restricting under-18 users from chatting with its AI chatbots due to safety concerns and criticism over inappropriate interactions, implementing new safety measures and focusing on safer content like role-play and storytelling for teens.
Google's Gemini AI chatbot is rapidly gaining market share, with web traffic doubling over the past year and now accounting for 12.9% of online AI tool visits, driven by its strength in routine tasks and seamless integration with Google's ecosystem, challenging the dominance of ChatGPT.
Microsoft's AI chief Mustafa Suleyman has criticized the creation of erotic chatbots, emphasizing the dangers they pose, and highlighted a divergence in approach between Microsoft and OpenAI, with the latter exploring adult content capabilities while Microsoft avoids such features. The debate reflects broader tensions around AI regulation, market demands, and ethical considerations in AI development.