United Kingdom, Sept. 13 -- The Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into seven technology companies over the way their artificial intelligence chatbots interact with children.

The regulator, chaired by Andrew Ferguson, is demanding information on how the firms monetise AI services, whether they have safeguards in place, and how they protect vulnerable users.

Companies under scrutiny are Alphabet, OpenAI, Character.ai, Snap, XAI, Meta and its subsidiary Instagram.

Announcing the probe, Andrew said the inquiry would "help us better understand how AI firms are developing their products and the steps they are taking to protect children".

He added the FTC would ensure "the United States maintains its role as a global leade...