Rock icon leaves Facebook over AI chatbot interaction with children
(TNS) — Neil Young is not afraid to take a stand, and this time the rock legend is taking Facebook to task.
Well, actually, he is quitting Facebook altogether, according to a statement posted on his account this week.
“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.”
This comes after Reuters recently reported that Facebook’s AI technology allowed chatbots to “engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual.”
Meta spokesman Andy Stone told Reuters that its internal documents are being reviewed after the outlet reported the ways in which chatbots could have romantic conversations with children.
“We have clear policies on what kind of responses AI characters can offer,” he said. “And those policies prohibit content that sexualized children and sexualized role play between adults and minors.”
It’s not the first time Young has stood up against a social media or streaming platform.
In recent months, though, the rocker has made headlines for his choice words for Donald Trump.
Surprisingly, back in June, he invited the president to take in a show during his “Love Earth” world tour this summer.
“When I tour the USA this summer, if there is not martial law by then which would make it impossible, let’s all come together and stand for American values,” Young wrote in a new post on his Neil Young Archives. “We will not be doing a political show. We will be playing the music we love for all of us to enjoy together. President Trump, you are invited. Come and hear our music just as you did for decades.”


