17 Countries Launch Coalition for Kids in AI Age

Children around the world are growing up with artificial intelligence woven into nearly every part of their daily lives, from classroom apps to social media algorithms. Now, for the first time, a global coalition is ensuring kids get a say in how these powerful technologies are built.

The Coalition for Children's Rights and Protection in the Age of Artificial Intelligence launched Tuesday in Geneva, bringing together 17 countries, six UN agencies, tech companies, educators, and child welfare experts. Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Kenya, and 11 other nations signed on as founding members.

The coalition's approach marks a fundamental shift. Instead of treating children as technology users who need protecting after AI systems already exist, it recognizes them as rights holders whose perspectives should shape how these systems are designed from the start.

This isn't just good practice. It's a legal obligation under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the world's most widely ratified human rights treaty, which guarantees children the right to be heard on matters affecting their lives.

The initiative grew out of the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, where UN Secretary General António Guterres called for an AI Child Safety Pledge. Coalition members committed to weaving children's voices into every stage of AI development, from initial design through rollout and oversight.

The stakes are real. AI already decides what content kids see, who they connect with online, and increasingly how they learn. These systems bring genuine opportunities for education, creativity, and inclusion, but they also create risks that existing safeguards weren't built to handle.

The Ripple Effect

The coalition's impact could reshape how the entire tech industry approaches AI development. By requiring children's input as a standard practice rather than an optional consultation, member countries are setting a new global benchmark for responsible innovation.

When children help design the systems that affect them, the results better serve their actual needs and protect their wellbeing. The coalition plans to share evidence and best practices across borders, creating a knowledge base that could influence AI policy worldwide.

Member nations represent diverse regions and perspectives, from Europe to Asia to Africa to the Americas. Their collective commitment signals that protecting children in the digital age transcends politics and geography.

The coalition's founding marks the beginning of work to ensure this generation of children doesn't just adapt to AI, but helps shape a future where these powerful tools truly serve their best interests.