WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: FTC Probes Big Tech About Child Safety Concerns with AI Chatbots

Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Julie Chang

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) probe into major tech companies regarding child safety control in AI-powered chatbots. Additionally, the episode covers significant market news around Opendoor Technologies and an immigration raid impacting Hyundai’s Georgia battery plant construction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FTC Investigates Child Safety in AI Chatbots

[00:16–01:08]

• FTC Inquiries:

  • The FTC has requested information from major tech giants—Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, Snap, XAI, and others—regarding their consumer-facing AI chatbots.
  • Focus is on how these companies test and monitor potential negative impacts on children and teenagers.

• Areas of Inquiry Include:

  • Safety evaluation methods for chatbots.
  • Steps to limit children’s use of these technologies.
  • Communication with parents about risks associated with AI chatbots.

• Quote:

  “The Federal Trade Commission has asked major tech companies with consumer facing AI powered chatbots to detail how they test and monitor potential negative impacts on children and teenagers.”
  — Julie Chang [00:17]

• Key Takeaway:
  The FTC is actively seeking to understand and improve the protective measures in place around emerging AI tools, especially those accessible to minors.

2. Opendoor Technologies: Market Surge & Leadership Change

[01:08–01:33]

• Stock Market Movement:

  • Opendoor shares surged over 60% after announcing a new CEO, Kaz Nahadian, formerly at Shopify.

• Leadership & Board Updates:

  • Two company co-founders were reinstated to Opendoor’s board of directors.

• Meme Stock Phenomenon:

  • The company has been embraced by individual investors on social media, with shares climbing an astonishing 1,800% since late June.
  • Investor activity was driven by calls for management changes.

• Quote:

  “Opendoor has become social media's new favorite meme stock. Its shares are up 1,800% since late June after an army of individuals on social media began buying the stock and demanding management changes.”
  — Julie Chang [01:31]

3. Immigration Raid Slows Hyundai’s Georgia Battery Plant

[01:33–02:00]

• US Government Action:

  • Immigration enforcement led to the release and deportation of over 300 Korean workers from Hyundai’s Georgia battery plant site.

• Impact on Hyundai:

  • Construction is now delayed by two or three months, per CEO Jose Munoz.
  • The expertise of the departing workers “can't be easily replaced.”
  • Hyundai must purchase EV batteries from other suppliers until new labor and engineering solutions are found.

• Quote:

  “Munoz said the expertise of those workers can't be easily replaced. He added that until Hyundai finds the labor and engineering know how it needs, it will have to buy electric vehicle batteries from other suppliers.”
  — Julie Chang [01:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Julie Chang on the FTC’s demands:

  “...asking what steps companies are taking to evaluate the safety of chatbots, limit their use by children and keep parents up to speed on risks associated with them.” [00:23]

• Julie Chang on Opendoor’s meme stock status:

  “Opendoor has become social media's new favorite meme stock.” [01:31]

• Julie Chang on Hyundai:

  “The expertise of those workers can't be easily replaced.” [01:53]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|:-------------:| | FTC probes Big Tech on AI chatbot safety | 00:16–01:08 | | Opendoor Technologies’ CEO and stock surge| 01:08–01:33 | | Hyundai’s battery plant construction delay| 01:33–02:00 |

Conclusion

This episode underscores urgent child safety debates tied to fast-developing AI tools, demonstrates the influence of social media on stock movements, and reveals operational challenges facing global companies in the U.S. For listeners wanting deeper analysis, the host encourages tuning into the main Friday Tech News Briefing podcast.