Responsible AI for Children: IEEE Delivers a Trusted Safety Formula to Help Protect Kids Online

The IEEE Standards Association has launched its Responsible AI for Children (RAIC) Certification Program, marking the first product to receive certification for children's online safety. With the increasing usage of digital and AI-enabled technologies by children, parents, educators, developers, and regulators seek reliable tools to ensure online safety.

RAIC certification aids organizations in integrating children's values, rights, and well-being into their digital products and services. Mary Ellen Randall, the 2026 IEEE President and CEO, emphasized the importance of responsible AI for children, stating that as AI becomes a part of children's daily lives, technology leaders have an increased responsibility to ensure safe and supportive experiences.

The RAIC certification program involves independent testing and verification of AI products, including smart toys, online games, and educational solutions, to meet safety and ethics requirements. This certification not only helps technology companies, public institutions, and educational organizations in building trustworthy digital products for children but also aligns design and assessment practices.

Sophia A. Muirhead, IEEE Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the need for age-appropriate design standards and independent verification to protect young users from harm while allowing them to benefit from technology's advantages. The first product certified by IEEE is d-AI-logue, an AI-powered educational platform developed by Greece's National Centre for Scientific Research (NCSR) 'Demokritos'. d-AI-logue uses Socratic dialogue to encourage students to evaluate information independently, and its certification demonstrates the commitment to trust, transparency, human oversight, and educational integrity.