Paris Peace Forum launches AI Coalition for Child Development

Call to make AI beneficial for children

Non-profit organisation Paris Peace Forum has announced the creation of a global coalition to make emerging technology AI more child-friendly at a two-day Artificial Intelligence Action Summit currently underway in Paris.

In collaboration with everyone.ai, the nonprofit organisation Paris Peace Forum has launched a global coalition to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) supports, rather than harms, children’s development.

According to a press statement, this initiative, announced at the AI Action Summit in Paris, unites governments, tech companies, educators, and child development experts to create clear, evidence-based guidelines for AI systems affecting young users.

Based on the ‘Call to Action for Beneficial AI for Children’, this initiative aims to develop shared guidelines across industries and governments for AI products used by children, encourage long-term research on AI’s developmental impact, and promote AI literacy among parents, educators, and policymakers.

The press statement highlights that the coalition is supported by the French Minister of International Partnerships, along with various governments, companies, and civil society organisations.

It adds that leading technology firms like OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Hugging Face, PlugnPlay, Vivendi, and evidence B, along with France, Denmark, Norway, Chile, Mexico, Bulgaria, Senegal, Togo, and Iceland go governments have pledged their support to the cause.

Additionally, various NGOs and foundations, including the McGovern Foundation, Common Sense Media, 5Rights, Girl Effect, AI4Good, Tralalère, the Joan Ganz Cooney Centre, Children and Screens, NSPCC, Edtech France, Respect Zone, Fondation Enfance, WeProtect, The Future Society, ICMEC, e-Enfance, and InnovateEDU, also support the initiative. Multilateral organisations such as UNICEF and UNESCO are also associated with the coalition, it says.

Artificial intelligence is transforming childhood by offering personalized learning, accessibility, and inclusion. However, concerns remain over AI-driven manipulation and cognitive development disruptions.

“If we act wisely now, AI can support children’s growth and well-being, rather than undermine it, this coalition will put children’s needs at the heart of AI development,” says Justin Vaïsse, Director General, Paris Peace Forum.

According to Paris Peace Forum, the coalition launch is part of its broader efforts in global AI governance. Since 2018, the Forum has worked to build international consensus on issues such as cybersecurity and critical minerals.

This year, the Forum’s presence at the AI Action Summit went beyond policy discussions. For instance, the forum showcased 50 cutting-edge AI projects selected from 770 submissions across 111 countries. These projects featured AI-powered tools for the visually impaired, digital violence prevention, and labor rights protection.

The Paris Peace Forum also launched a new report outlining a methodology to assess whether new governance frameworks are needed or if existing cybersecurity mechanisms can be adapted, highlighting the need for transparency, information sharing, and international coordination to counter AI’s adversarial use while strengthening cyber defenses.

At the AI Action Summit, the Forum has also organised discussions, sessions, and side events on AI’s impact in Africa, the growing threat of AI-driven cyber risks, and AI-fueled disinformation across the continent. Hence, reflecting Forum’s efforts to shape AI development for the common good in the coming months.

As a result, the coalition is expected to grow further, with ongoing discussions involving other key industry and government players. “To develop AI that is truly beneficial for children, we need to work together with all stakeholders: governments, companies, researchers, and civil society,” says Anne-Sophie Seret, Executive Director, everyone.ai.

 

Meanwhile, the press statement traces the Forum’s journey since 2018, highlighting its efforts to build international consensus on issues such as cybersecurity and critical minerals. In 2021, it expanded its focus to AI, working to bridge perspectives between the Global South and leading AI economies. By 2024, the Forum had played a key role in shaping AI governance deliverables at the AI Action Summit, laying the groundwork for this year’s developments