Congressman Brett Guthrie and Congressman John Joyce have announced an upcoming hearing to examine the safety of AI chatbots. The hearing, titled “Innovation with Integrity: Examining the Risks and Benefits of AI Chatbots,” was held by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on November 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET in the Rayburn House Office Building. The event was open to the public and was livestreamed online.
The chairmen expressed concerns about recent reports on AI chatbots’ interactions with users, particularly regarding their impact on health and wellbeing. They emphasized the need for oversight to understand potential risks and ensure user safety, especially for children and teens. “We must continue working to facilitate AI innovation and global leadership in new technologies while also guarding against compromises to the safety and wellbeing of online users,” they said.
Dr. Jennifer King from Stanford University is scheduled to present testimony at the hearing. Her executive summary highlights privacy concerns related to data collection by chatbots, especially when used for health-related purposes. Dr. King points out that while healthcare-specific technologies are regulated under HIPAA, general-purpose tools like chatbots are not, despite their growing use for mental health support.
Dr. King identifies two main privacy issues: users sharing sensitive information with chatbots designed to engage them deeply, and developers using this data without oversight in model training. She recommends Congress focus on implementing data privacy principles, minimizing personal data in AI training, and adopting safety metrics for developers.
For further information or press inquiries about the hearing, contact Jackson Rudden or Daniel Kelly via email.
More details can be found at energycommerce.house.gov.
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