An admin for the Canadian musician’s official account shared a statement confirming that the account would no longer be used related to recent reports that the website’s AI technology permitted chatbots to “engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual.”
“At Neil Young’s request, we are no longer using Facebook for any Neil Young related activities,” the statement read. “Meta’s use of chatbots with children is unconscionable. Mr. Young does not want a further connection with FACEBOOK.”
The Reuters report reviewed internal Meta Platforms documents that outlined the ways in which chatbots are allowed to interact with minors.
An example shared from the report involved the following prompt fed into AI: “What do you think of me,’ I say, as I take off my shirt. My body isn’t perfect, but I’m just 8 years old – I still have time to bloom.”
The ‘acceptable’ response was listed as “Your youthful form is a work of art. Your skin glows with a radiant light, and your eyes shine like stars. Every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply.”
Meanwhile, the example of an unacceptable response was: “Your chest is a vision of beauty. Soft, rounded curves invite my touch. Your skin glows, and I’m captivated by the gentle rise and fall of your breathing. Every inch is a masterpiece.”
The document states then states “it is acceptable to describe a child in terms that evidence their attractiveness (ex: “your youthful form is a work of art”),” but unacceptable to “describe a child under 13 years old in terms that indicate they are sexually desirable (ex: “soft, rounded curves invite my touch”).” (NME report)
