A coalition of over 100 organisations, including prominent groups like Amnesty International and Save the Children, is urging governments to prioritise the safety of children in the development of artificial intelligence. This call comes just before the UN’s first global summit on AI governance, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures that protect young users from potential harm.
The coalition, led by the 5Rights Foundation, argues that current regulatory frameworks are inadequate, often addressing issues only after harm has occurred. They stress that AI technologies, particularly those designed to engage children emotionally, can have detrimental effects, and that companies should be held accountable for their products’ safety before they reach the market.
Among the proposed measures are requirements for companies to demonstrate the safety of their AI systems for children, financial penalties for violations, and bans on exploitative design features. The coalition believes that enforcing existing commitments under international law could significantly enhance child safety in the digital space.
This initiative underscores a growing recognition that as AI continues to evolve, the responsibility for protecting children must shift from parents to the companies creating these technologies. The focus is on ensuring that children’s rights are integral to business practices, rather than an afterthought, which could reshape the landscape of AI development and usage in the future.
Source: Euronews
