France announces launch of international coalition to protect children's rights in the age of artificial intelligence

Paris, July 10 (KUNA) -- France announced on Friday the launch of an international alliance for the rights and protection of children in the age of artificial intelligence, with the aim of ensuring the development of safe and reliable AI systems that respect the rights of this group, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In a statement, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the alliance comprises 18 countries from various regions of the world, along with several United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Telecommunication Union, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as well as other UN entities.

The statement clarified that the launch of the alliance complements the efforts undertaken by France during its presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations, which made the protection of children online one of the group’s leaders’ priorities.

It quoted France’s Ambassador for Digital Affairs and Artificial Intelligence, Clara Shapaz, calling for enhanced international cooperation to address the growing risks of AI to children and young people, including emotional dependency, exposure to inappropriate content, and negative impacts on cognitive development.

The statement added that the initiative aligns with the call issued by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the First Global AI Governance Dialogue, held in Geneva on July 6 and 7, to adopt the “AI Child Safety Pledge,” which will be integrated into the alliance’s work.

The International Alliance includes Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Spain, Estonia, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, the Czech Republic, and El Salvador. (End) M.B. / A.M.S.