UN urges faster action to protect children from AI risks
The United Nations on Monday called for faster action to protect children from the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence, urging governments and technology companies to introduce safeguards without waiting for a global governance framework.
Speaking after the opening of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said the international community was "not quick enough to protect our children" and stressed that action should not be delayed until all 193 UN member states agree on common rules.
"We don't have to wait until the next global dialogue in one year's time. We don't have to wait to set up a global governance structure that all 193 member states agree in common," she said.
Baerbock warned that artificial intelligence and social media platforms could be exploited to spread misinformation and incite violence, recalling remarks by a teenager from Rwanda who highlighted the role of online platforms in the lead-up to genocide.
She said governments and technology companies should not claim neutrality when their platforms are misused, adding that "inaction also means taking a side." She called for safeguards to be guided by the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Broad participation in inaugural dialogue
The Global Dialogue on AI Governance brought together more than 4,000 participants from 170 countries and generated over 1,500 written submissions, according to co-chair Rein Tammsaar.
Tammsaar said AI development was advancing faster than governments could respond, but cautioned against slowing innovation.
"The risks are very real," he said, while emphasizing that governments should not "stop the innovation."
Co-chair Egriselda Lopez said the inaugural dialogue demonstrated the value of the United Nations as an inclusive platform for AI governance and expressed hope that discussions would continue with the same broad participation during the second dialogue, scheduled to take place in New York in 2027.
Proposed UN AI fund to advance in September
Baerbock said a proposed UN AI fund forms part of the organization's broader UN80 reform process and is expected to move forward during the UN's 81st session, which begins in September.
She said it was too early to discuss the size of the fund but stressed that its objective would be to ensure artificial intelligence helps narrow, rather than widen, the global digital divide.
Guterres proposes AI child safety pledge
Earlier Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the adoption of an AI Child Safety Pledge, warning that children are being exposed to artificial intelligence before its potential risks are fully understood.
"We do not let medicine reach a child until it is proven safe. We test every toy, yet AI has reached our children, their learning, their friendships, their most private questions before anyone asked what it would do to them," he said.
Guterres urged governments and technology companies to address AI-enabled harms, including the spread of sexually explicit deepfakes targeting women and girls.
He also warned that the same AI technologies developed for civilian purposes are increasingly being adapted for military use, describing autonomous weapons systems as "killer robots."
While acknowledging AI's potential to support decision-making in areas such as healthcare, policing and justice, Guterres stressed that ultimate responsibility must remain with people.
"Humans must decide and answer," he said.
Source:AA
