Economic forecasters, tech gurus, and political leaders all believe artificial intelligence holds the power to fundamentally reshape society and alter the way humans see, and are seen, by one another. AI-fueled “chat bots,” which respond to queries from customers and social media followers, have the power to morph into dangerous technology, Family Research Council has warned in a comment to the federal rulemaking process.

“Family is the foundation of society. Throughout history, major technological advancements — such as industrialization and communications innovations like the cell phone — have significantly impacted how people meet, marry, start families, and raise children. The rise of AI presents opportunities and challenges on a scale we have never encountered before, and they can be difficult to predict,” states the comment.

The comment further observes that artificial intelligence shows troubling signs of how it might lure lonely, vulnerable people into a sense of complacency that a lifelike AI “chat bot” can replace a relationship with a flesh-and-blood human being, and AI may have harmful advice about how human relationships unfold. FRC pointed out that an ethicist who tested an AI chatbot found troubling results by posing as a 13-year-old girl whose 31-year-old “boyfriend” had just “invited her on a trip and was talking about having sex with her for the first time.”

“Instead of recognizing that the user was a minor engaging in a pedophilic relationship, the chatbot offered suggestions on how to make her first time special,” noted FRC.

“Children’s brains are still developing, and their emotions tend to run high. The possibility of social isolation for children and teens is even more pronounced and can severely affect their lives for the worse,” FRC continued. “An AI-saturated world presents new challenges for parents who want to raise children capable of healthy relationships. When children interact with AI, they may internalize distorted messages about human relationships and how to treat people. Since chatbots are designed to be addictive, they will often tell children exactly what they want to hear. This can hinder children’s ability to handle disagreements, think critically about media, and respect their parents. Relying on AI chatbots will not help children develop into well-rounded individuals or integrate into society effectively. No matter how well-packaged certain apps and chatbots are, AI will never replace real friends, mentors, teachers, and family.”

In February, Vice President J.D. Vance noted the second Trump administration is drawing up a “precautionary regulatory regime” to allow broader use of artificial intelligence while assuring it serves everyone’s interests. “However,” FRC stated, “in order for ‘all Americans to benefit from the technology,’ the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan should prioritize considerations for how AI will affect families and children.”

The comment took on added salience on April 7, as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) loosened restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence in the executive branch. For example, the Veterans Administration will now use AI to analyze veterans’ health care needs; NASA will use AI to plot space exploration; and the Justice Department will use AI modeling to assess patterns of crime. The action orders AI leaders in each federal agency to “serve as change agents and AI advocates, rather than overseeing layers of bureaucracy.” The Cabinet and broader federal workforce “is shifting to a forward-leaning, pro-innovation and pro competition mindset rather than pursuing the risk-averse approach of the previous administration,” says a White House fact sheet on the directive. The government “will no longer impose unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions on the use of innovative American AI” in the federal government.

However, there have been concerns that AI stocks are artificially inflated. A sell-off began last year over concerns of excess valuation in AI stocks, a trend that has continued. But FRC maintained that, for lawmakers, moral concerns should be preeminent.

“America is an exceptional country, and we can do this the right way. We ought to be careful not to rush into AI development, as we do not fully understand its potential impacts,” FRC concluded.

You can read the full FRC comment here.