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Anthropic Updates Policy to Ban Cruelty Towards AI

Source: BBC Business - Published: 09 Oct 2026 15:34

Anthropic has revised its usage policy to prohibit users from engaging in 'sustained and needless' abusive behavior towards its AI systems. This change allows the AI to terminate interactions deemed cruel, a practice previously applied in rare instances. The updated policy also includes prohibitions against bullying, promoting self-harm, and creating non-consensual intimate imagery.

The announcement has sparked discussions on the ethics of interacting with AI, with some praising the move as promoting respectful communication, while others criticize it for potentially undermining human interactions. The specifics of what constitutes abusive behavior towards AI remain ambiguous.

Watch for how users adapt to the new policy and the potential impact on AI design. The ambiguity around what constitutes 'cruelty' may lead to varied interpretations, influencing user interactions. This could spark further debate on AI ethics and communication norms.

Briefed by Gibik from the original source.