In mid-March, children's safety organizations across the country received an email from an organization called "Parents and Children's AI Alliance," asking if they would support the organization's policy priorities. The AI regulatory principles mentioned in the email included relatively non-controversial suggestions such as age verification, parental controls, and a ban on ads targeting children. However, many organizations were unaware that this alliance was entirely funded by the globally renowned AI chat company, OpenAI.
OpenAI is pushing for legislative processes in California and has formed alliances with an increasing number of supporters. However, some organization leaders who had originally joined the alliance stated that they were unaware of OpenAI's involvement, and only learned about it after the alliance was officially announced, leading them to withdraw. Some nonprofit organization leaders expressed great concern, believing that OpenAI used misleading language when communicating with them.
When responding to media inquiries, the alliance's spokesperson said that OpenAI and six other members are working to secure the strongest child AI safety law in the United States. Nevertheless, other children's safety organizations have expressed concerns about OpenAI's involvement, calling on it to let more experienced child rights advocates lead the relevant legislation instead of setting the rules itself.
OpenAI is facing a major test regarding the safety of its products for children. Several states are proposing legislation to strengthen regulation of children's use of AI. Additionally, OpenAI has previously opposed other children's safety legislation, striving to block stricter policies.
In a series of political and public relations activities, OpenAI sought support from children's safety organizations via email without clearly stating its identity as the main funder, which has raised questions from outside parties. Some organizations chose to withdraw after learning the truth and raised doubts about OpenAI's transparency.
At the alliance announcement on March 17, OpenAI's name was also not mentioned. Experts pointed out that this secretive funding and communication approach fits the classic definition of a "grassroots movement," which can easily lead the public to misunderstand its true intentions.
Key Points:
📌 OpenAI quietly funds the "Parents and Children's AI Alliance," triggering questions about transparency within and outside the organization.
📌 Multiple children's safety organization leaders learned about OpenAI's involvement only after joining and subsequently chose to leave.
📌 Experts point out that such actions may be seen as a disguise for a "grassroots movement," causing public misunderstanding.