At the AI Action Summit in Paris, the Paris Peace Forum unveiled the creation of a groundbreaking global coalition aimed at ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) supports, rather than harms, children’s development. The initiative, co-led by the Paris Peace Forum and everyone.ai, brings together governments, tech companies, educators, and child development experts to establish evidence-based guidelines for AI systems impacting young users.
The announcement underscores the profound impact AI is having on childhood — from personalized learning and greater accessibility to risks such as AI-driven manipulation and potential disruption of cognitive development. The coalition’s primary goal is to create a robust framework to help shape AI tools that benefit children’s growth, ensuring the technology serves their best interests.
Justin Vaïsse, Director General of the Paris Peace Forum, emphasized the critical moment for action: “If we act wisely now, AI can support children’s growth and well-being, rather than undermine it.” He further asserted, “This coalition will put children’s needs at the heart of AI development.”
The initiative, which also has the support of the French Minister of International Partnerships, unites a diverse group of stakeholders, including leading tech companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Hugging Face, along with governments from across the globe, including France, Denmark, Senegal, and Mexico. Several influential NGOs and foundations, such as UNICEF and UNESCO, are closely involved in the work. Experts from various fields, including Stuart Russell and Sonia Livingstone, will guide the coalition’s efforts.
The coalition’s mission includes developing shared guidelines for AI products used by children, advocating for long-term research on AI’s impact on development, and promoting AI literacy among parents, educators, and policymakers. “To develop AI that is truly beneficial for children, we need to work together with all stakeholders: governments, companies, researchers, and civil society,” stated Anne-Sophie Seret, Executive Director of everyone.ai.
The launch of this coalition represents a significant milestone in the Paris Peace Forum’s ongoing leadership on global governance issues. Since its inception in 2018, the Forum has played a pivotal role in fostering international consensus on global public goods, including AI governance. In 2021, it began focusing on AI governance, bridging perspectives between the Global South and leading AI economies. This year’s summit marked the culmination of those efforts, with key breakthroughs in shaping international AI policy.
In addition to the coalition announcement, the Forum also spotlighted 50 cutting-edge AI projects from 770 submissions across 111 countries. These projects, which tackle issues ranging from digital violence prevention to accessibility for the visually impaired, exemplify the transformative potential of AI when applied responsibly. Four projects were even recognized by the French Prime Minister’s office as “Convergence AI Challenges,” underscoring the power of civil society and businesses in driving AI for the public good.
The Paris Peace Forum also launched a new report assessing AI’s impact on cybersecurity. As AI-driven cyber threats move from theoretical concerns to real-world challenges, the report calls for greater international coordination, transparency, and information sharing to strengthen defenses against AI-enabled risks.
