UNICEF urges media to promote inclusive early childhood development, report responsibly on AI
Workshop seeks to promote ethical, child-sensitive and non-stigmatising reporting, and raise awareness of AI-related risks, including misinformation, deepfakes, bias, privacy violations, and fabricated content
Early childhood development plays a crucial role in shaping a child's future, encompassing health, learning, emotional well-being, and social development. Inclusive early childhood development (iECD) aims to guarantee equal access to essential services such as healthcare, nutrition, nurturing care, early learning, protection, and early intervention for all children, including those with developmental delays, disabilities, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence.
Deepa Bhaskaran, Director of the Child Development Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, highlighted the importance of early identification and interventions during a UNICEF India media workshop. Early intervention can ensure that children with disabilities and developmental delays receive support at home, in educational settings, and within their communities.
Focusing on early intervention at the workshop, experts emphasized that addressing the first signs of autism is preferable to waiting for more severe symptoms to arise. Amar Fettle, State Nodal Officer for Adolescent Health, stressed the significance of enhancing public understanding of children's issues and government programs, reducing disability-related stigma, and fostering societal inclusion.
The workshop aimed at improving comprehension of inclusive early childhood development, child rights, and disability inclusion, promoting responsible and non-stigmatizing reporting, and highlighting the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI), such as misinformation, deepfakes, bias, privacy breaches, and fabricated content.
UNICEF collaborates with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to emphasize the importance of investing in children's development, underscoring the role of the private sector in supporting children through corporate social responsibility. During the workshop, trainers from the Google News Initiative India Network highlighted the necessity of subject matter expertise in reporting.
They stressed that while AI tools can be beneficial, they should be used responsibly, with human oversight to ensure accuracy, ethics, and environmental responsibility.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
