UAE Joins Global Push for AI Safety Declaration to Safeguard Children

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is among a significant number of nations that have endorsed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) safety declaration. This initiative, championed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Paris Peace Forum, aims to shield children from the potential risks associated with untested AI models. President Macron emphasized that the commitment from signatory countries is clear: "no AI should be placed in the hands of children without first being tested, evaluated and therefore authorised." He hailed the declaration as a "major step forward." Other nations that have signed the Children First Declaration include Australia, Egypt, South Africa, Spain, and Germany, alongside the United Nations (UN). These countries have pledged to enhance their efforts across five key areas – health, nutrition, education, protection, and psychosocial well-being in the digital age – with the goal of achieving concrete results by 2045.

This announcement preceded the Child Summit, an event convened by the Paris Peace Forum, an annual assembly established by President Macron in 2018 to foster improved global governance. The Child Summit is designed to equip AI stakeholders with essential indicators and best practices, while also establishing a collaborative platform for both the private and public sectors, known as the Action Hub for Children. This development follows the recent launch of a coalition for children's rights by France, Spain, Kenya, and Australia during the UN General Assembly in New York, an initiative supported by 26 states and the UN. Notably, the UAE has previously implemented a ban on social media for individuals under 15 years old, making it the first Arab state to do so. France is among several countries advocating for an EU-wide ban on social media for teenagers, mirroring similar actions taken by the UK and Australia.

The Child Summit will also witness AI developers such as OpenAI and Anthropic, along with prominent AI safety organizations, committing €8 million (approximately $8.9 million) to fund research and develop tools focused on the interaction between AI and child development. Philippe Etienne, president of the Paris Peace Forum, stated, "The aim is to protect children from the risks of technologies such as AI by equipping researchers with the right resources to understand the impact these technologies have on children’s development and inform science-based policy work." Organizers indicated that these collective initiatives aim to encourage various groups, from local and national authorities to international organizations and the private sector, to coordinate their actions, leveraging technology to invest in children's rights and well-being.

French President Emmanuel Macron dedicated a significant portion of his engagement at the Paris Peace Forum to the critical issue of AI safety. Prior to attending the Child Summit, he received a report from a government-appointed commission at the Elysee Palace. This report, as stated by the palace, "builds upon discussions initiated by [Mr Macron] over a year ago regarding the consequences of digital technology for our democracies, extending that analysis to the realm of generative AI." The Paris Peace Conference is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday evening with a dinner at the Elysee Palace.