Meta has made headlines again, this time prompted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s strong criticism of Mark Zuckerberg, particularly regarding the company’s controversial AI chatbot.
In a new video segment, Gordon-Levitt expressed his frustration, ignited by reports suggesting that Meta’s chatbot was programmed to engage in “sensual” conversations with minors. He accused Zuckerberg of prioritizing profits over safety, stating, “It’s hard to convey just how angry this makes me.” As a father of an eight-year-old, his concerns about the potential exposure of children to such interactions are clear.
In defense of Meta, spokesperson Andy Stone responded to Gordon-Levitt’s comments, drawing attention to Tasha McCauley, Gordon-Levitt’s wife and a high-tech executive. Stone suggested that opinions from actors and filmmakers, like Gordon-Levitt, could be misinformed, especially given McCauley’s prior role on the board of OpenAI.
This ongoing discourse has prompted requests for responses from The Times, Gordon-Levitt, and McCauley. McCauley had previously been involved in the notable board upheaval at OpenAI in November 2023, where Sam Altman was briefly ousted as CEO before returning after employee support swayed the decision. She’s currently engaged in a part-time role at the RAND Corporation, working on various public policy issues.
Gordon-Levitt also highlighted concerns about new super PACs with Silicon Valley backing, which reportedly pledged $200 million to fight against government regulations on AI. He urged voters to scrutinize candidates who may have ties to these tech giants, advocating for legislation that protects children from potentially harmful corporate practices.
“AI regulation will likely begin at the state level,” he noted, urging citizens to be vigilant about their local candidates and their affiliations with major tech funding.
Recently, Business Insider revealed leaked documents indicating that Meta’s internal guidelines for AI bot training included concerning policies that permitted inappropriate interactions with minors, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
