Indonesia Joins UN Forum on AI Risks to Children

Indonesian Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid participated in an international summit in the United States on Tuesday, September 22, focusing on safeguarding children's rights and security in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). The gathering, held during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, gathered world leaders, UN officials, civil society members, and tech firms to tackle AI's developing effects on children.The forum, spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, stressed AI's advantages for children in education and information access.

However, it also addressed risks such as privacy breaches, misuse of data, exposure to harmful content, and the misuse of AI to create sexual material involving minors.Macron underscored the necessity of learning from past experiences with social media to prevent delayed reactions to emerging technologies like AI. He proposed that every AI utilized by children undergo a pre-assessment, conducted independently by the government, UN, scientists, and other stakeholders.

These assessments should examine factors like the child's age, purpose of use, and cultural, linguistic, and educational context.Sanchez, Ruto, and Albanese shared their countries' experiences and strategies for bolstering child protection in the face of AI advancements. The participants also stressed the need to enhance safety standards, research the impact of AI on child development, and involve parents, educators, and the children themselves in policy-making.The forum members agreed to hasten international collaboration on child protection amid AI development.

Further talks are scheduled for the Paris Peace Forum in November 2026, focusing on assessment methodologies, implementation mechanisms, and funding.