UAE among dozens of countries to sign AI safety declaration to protect children
The UAE is among dozens of countries to sign an AI declaration, promoted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Paris Peace Forum , aimed at protecting children from untested models. Mr Macron said the commitment of countries was clear that "no AI should be placed in the hands of children without first being tested, evaluated and therefore authorised". He described the declaration as a "major…
The UAE has joined a growing list of nations in signing an AI safety declaration, aimed at safeguarding children from untested models. French President Emmanuel Macron introduced the Children First Declaration at the Paris Peace Forum, emphasizing that no AI should be given to children without undergoing testing, evaluation, and authorization.
Other countries signing the declaration include Australia, Egypt, South Africa, Spain, and Germany, alongside the United Nations. They committed to addressing the digital age's challenges through five pillars: health, nutrition, education, protection, and psychosocial well-being, with tangible results expected by 2045. The declaration was unveiled ahead of the Child Summit, convened by Macron in 2018 to enhance global governance.
The summit seeks to provide AI actors with indicators, best practices, and an Action Hub for Children, facilitating collaboration between public and private sectors. Meanwhile, France, Spain, Kenya, and Australia launched a coalition for children's rights during the latest UN General Assembly, receiving support from 26 states and the UN.
France has also pushed for an EU-wide ban on social media for teenagers, echoing the UK and Australia's move. The UAE was the first Arab country to implement such a ban. At the Child Summit, AI developers like OpenAI and Anthropic, along with prominent AI safety organizations, pledged €8 million ($8.9 million) to finance research and tools for understanding AI's impact on child development.
These initiatives aim to equip researchers with the necessary resources to inform science-based policy decisions, ensuring the protection of children's rights and well-being. French President Macron dedicated significant time during the Paris Peace Forum to AI safety, receiving a report from a government-appointed commission at the Elysee Palace.
The report, which builds on Macron's earlier discussions about digital technology's impact on democracies, extends that analysis to generative AI. The Paris Peace Conference concluded with a dinner at the palace.
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